The Fort Dale Eagles, in their season-opening game, will host the Pike Liberal Arts School Patriots, and are preparing for the meeting, said "Speed" Sampley

Tuesday.

Sampley said although he has not had the chance to see a film yet (only because there have not been any games played), he feels the Eagles are well prepared for the match-up this Friday night.

"Our team has been working real hard to prepare for the game, and I think they are just ready to play somebody," Sampley said. "Pike has a new coach this year, although not one that is new to AISA football.

"Coach Mack Williams has moved from Lowndes Academy, where he led the Rebels to the playoffs last year, to Pike Lib," he said.

Sampley said Pike Lib is traditionally a "throwing" team.

"They threw the ball a lot last year, and we anticipate that they will do the same this year," Sampley said.

Sampley, whose team is composed mostly of sophomores and juniors, said the Patriots have a lot of players returning for their senior year.

"I don't know if many of their seniors started last year, but they do have a large part of the team represented from the senior class," he said.

As far as preparation for the game is concerned, Sampley said his team is this week working on conditioning.

"We missed out on a lot of 'on-field' practice time so far, because of the amount of rain we have had during the practice season, and also because our practice field is filled with construction equipment - I don't think that it has hurt us though," he said.

Sampley said the team would be working on conditioning Tuesday afternoon during the high heat of the day for the first time in the season, but he felt confident of their abilities.

"I really just think they are ready to play somebody," Sampley said.

Kickoff time this Friday night at Fort Dale Academy is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.