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Escambia County beat Cottage Hill 20-9 tonight in its season opener in Mobile.

The Blue Devils led 7-3 in the third quarter, and outscored their opponent 13-6 the rest of the way.

ECHS head football coach Vincent Harris said the team was short handed tonight as five starters were out of the game.

“The way our guys rallied was something,” Harris said. “Our theme for the week was ‘No weapon formed against us shall prosper.’ That’s something we went over. We wanted to talk about it, that adversity is going to come. What are you going to do?”

Harris said he started four freshmen tonight, and they played lights out, especially on defense.

“We don’t make excuses,” he added. “We just come to play. The guys lined up and played really hard. Last year, we ran the ball, and that was a big difference for us. As a team, we ran 200 yards tonight.”

Harris said defensive coordinator Raymond Robinson and offensive coordinator Maurice Bradley called a great game tonight.

“I’m really proud of everybody,” he said. “The young guys stepped up big tonight.”

Next week, the Blue Devils host Northview, Fla.

Harris said the team is making the game an orange out for gun violence awareness, adding that as of late, many young people have died in the city of Atmore.

He said a prayer and balloon release will be held before the game, and families who have lost children due to gun violence are welcome to participate.