ECHS to take on Neal in region action Friday

Escambia County is putting last week’s loss in the rear view as the Blue Devils will host W.S. Neal in region action this Friday night.

The Blue Devils lost 26-0 to Hillcrest-Evergreen in a game that included bad snaps, penalties and an on-field scuffle. Three ECHS players were ejected from the game, but will play this week. ECHS head football coach Rico Jackson said all three took the Star Sportsmanship Take II test. A fine was also paid, he said.

On this week’s game, Jackson said WSN head football coach Andro Williams is a quality coach.

“I’ve known Andro a long time,” he said. “They’re going to be ready to play. We’re going to have to match their intensity. They like to run the ball.”

Jackson said the Eagles’ quarterback (Matt Thomas) didn’t play last week, but is slated to return.

“He can actually throw some, too,” Jackson said about Thomas. “We’re going to have to come to play.”

Jackson said it’s pretty important for the players to come out focused on the task at hand. The Blue Devils are 2-1 overall, 1-1 in Class 4A, Region 1.

The coach said last week, the players played out of character, which wasn’t normal.

“We’ve got to learn to stay in character and fight through adversity, and do what we’re supposed to do to win,” he said.

Kick off Friday is at 7 p.m. in Atmore.