By By Chandler Myers
This is a big week for both the Escambia County Blue Devils and the Escambia Academy Cougars as they each have crucial match ups that could tell the tale for the rest of their seasons.
The Blue Devils have the only home game on the schedule this week with their rivals the Baldwin County Tigers coming to town.
Last season, the Blue Devils won 25-20 in Bay Minette, which was their first win of the 2008 season.
That win really showed their ability to work as a team and will each other to victory.
This season, NHS comes into the game already with a victory and win against Baldwin County could help get the momentum tilted in their direction as they prepare for their final five games.
This is a team with the potential to win six games this season.
Whether or not anyone else believes is that is unknown to me, but I firmly believe they have a lot of talent that could surprise many in the second half of the season.
One thing that could help the Blue Devils would be a crowd showing up to the game yelling and screaming for their team.
A lot of people fill the stands, but I think that half of that crowd forgets about the game and starts chatting.
If more people watched, cheered and yelled when they were on defense trying to make a stop, they would get fired up even more than they already are.
Another thing that could help the team is a little more positive chatter about them.
What’s the point in going to the game to down the team, individual players or coaches.
If you are going to come to the game to be negative just don’t bother showing up.
They are looking for supporters not pessimists.
Down the road, the Cougars of Canoe will load up and visit Wilcox Academy hoping to secure their fourth win of the season.
A win at Wilcox would put them in prime position to make the playoffs and be the most improved team in the AISA.
It would also help give them a push in the right direction as they play their final five games and possibly score an upset or two along the way.
Northview also leaves town to take on Bozeman in Panama City, Fla.
The Chiefs have looked strong in their first two games and a win at Bozeman could help make them a contender in their region.
It’s strange how certain games can determine the mindset of a team, but it’s possible.
It happens to Alabama after every Arkansas game, so I guess how there season turns out could be determined by the outcome of this weekend’s game.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com