By By Matthew Nascone
Blue Devil nation will travel to Mobile Friday night as their team faces the Saints of St. Paul's Episcopal School. Escambia County High School football team head coach Kyle Davis said he would expect nothing less than a tough, physical game.
"They are always a lock for the second or third round of the Class 5A state playoffs and it should be a tough game for us," Davis said. "They are a big, fast football team, but we also have speed."
Davis said the passing game might open up against St. Paul's (3-1, 2-1 in AHSAA Class 5A Region 1 play) because of their defensive formation.
"We might be able to throw on them because they run a 3-4 defense and if we can widen it out with the pass we might get more of the running game going," he said.
The key to the Blue Devils (3-1, 2-1 in Class 4A Region 1 play) having success Friday will be the play of the defense.
"If we can maintain the defense we have had all year with the exception of the Miller game, we will be all right," Davis said. "Our defense will at least keep the game close and keep us in it."
This week is another week Davis said he will be able to find out what his team is made of and whether they can handle serious adversity.
"It will be a good test for us as we enter into the second half of the region schedule following this game," Davis said. "We play Jackson and Thomasville and we know we have to beat one of them to lock up a playoff spot, so we are looking forward to the challenge. We need to show people we can play with one of the best teams in the class above us."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Mobile.