By By Tammy Graham
The long, hot days of pre-season practice for the 2003 Escambia County High School football program will end Saturday with the WBLX-ECHS Blue-White scrimmage game at Herbert Barnes Stadium.
Led by new head coach Mardye McDole, the 2003 football squad will seek to light a fire under dormant Devil fans with a seasoned and much improved team reminiscent of past Blue Devils teams.
Offensively, ECHS features agile scrambler senior quarterback Derek Martin and back-up Calvin Hartley. Speedster Chris Simpson at tailback complements the punishing runs of senior fullback Calvin Davis. The offensive line is solid and all are returning first teamers. Senior tackle Cedric Sharp, junior guard Chris Graham and 300-pound center Michael McAnnaly anchor the right with Wade Blackwell manning the left side.
The long and tough 2003 season provided much needed seasoning for a trio of senior defensive stars. Junior defensive lineman, 6'1', 305 pound Spario Banks, hard-hitting middle linebacker Sharp, and safety Franklin Boykin lead the defensive effort.
Described by sources in the program as "goal-oriented, driven and talented," the 2003 Blue Devil squad owe much of the new attitude to Coach McDole.
WBLX game time is 9 a.m. Saturday and admission is free.