By By Tim Cottrell
A dark cloud has hung over the Escambia County football team for the past 11 football seasons.
Eleven times the Blue Devils have faced T.R. Miller, and 11 times the Blue Devils have come home with a loss.
This year brings new excitement and a new sense of optimism to the program, with a new coach, a new offense, and a new attitude for the football team.
Coach Kyle Davis has turned things around in some areas, but now that the season is here he will immediately be judged by how his team fares against their biggest rival.
"They're good," Davis said of T.R. Miller, laughing. "I don't know any other way to say it. We know what they're going to do offensively, we know what they're going to do defensively, we've just got to get out there and stop them. The toss sweep is their play, and they want to run it around you. We're going to have to get in there defensively and stop that. We have to play an exceptional football game and get a turnover or two. We can win doing that."
Davis said he wasn't looking to making any game plan changes for the Tigers.
"We do what we do," he said. "We're not going to change anything. I don't see any reason in changing your gameplan every week. It doesn't give your players anything to hang their hats on."
Davis was, however, very encouraged with his team's performance in a jamboree Friday against Georgiana.
"We were rested and in shape the whole game," Davis said. "We didn't get tired. The offense looked good at times. Too many penalties, though. The run-blocking wasn't great. The receivers weren't blocking downfield. But the good thing is we've been out there, we've played, and we've got a chance to look at it on film. We can show them what they're doing wrong, and show them how to do it right in practice. Hopefully, at least."
While not forecasting a victory for the Blue Devils, Davis said he felt the game would be different from past outings.
"I think we're going to be very competitive," he said. "We might not win, but they'll respect us when it's over. The town is going to be proud of this team, too."