A lot has been made of the various rivalries throughout the state, but often overlooked is the game between Perryville and Bigelow, the only two schools in Perry County.
Last year the Mustangs of Perryville topped the Bigelow Panthers 20-6, and then made a key offseason acquisition - head coach Jimmy Clayton, the former coach of Carlisle. For Bigelow's Jeff Starks, seeing Clayton on the sidelines is an all too familiar sight.
Starks' teams suffered for years against Clayton's Carlisle squads, able to keep just one game close during his tenure.
"He's an excellent coach," Starks said. "Every team he's coached has been prepared."
While games are played by the athletes on the field, Starks is anxious to get another shot at Clayton, who came out of a five-year retirement to take the Perryville job.
Clayton said the Mustangs have come together as a team after some growing pains of the players getting used to a new system and coach. Fans of the old Carlisle system in the '90s will recognize the run-first attitude the Mustangs will have this year.
That will be the challenge for the Panthers' front line, finding a way to slow down a system that has been refined through the . Offensively been what one would call passheavy, but when they do take to the air, Stivers will look for junior split end Kyle Crawford.
Starks would like to put the ball up a little bit more this year and with tight end Cody Gunther and wide receiver Cody Wiley (Bigelow's leading receiver last year), he will be afforded that opportunity.
"Cody Wiley is going to have a big game if all goes well," Starks said.
ADVANTAGE: Bigelow
OFFENSIVE LINE
The key to any good rushing team is the offensive line, and Perryville is no different. Anchored by seniors Tyler Cody, Hayden Rittenbourgh and Christopher Alberson, the Bigelow defensive line could have a long night.
The Panthers also are pinning their hopes on the strength of their offensive line, the wealth of experience (all five are returning starters) plus a few new wrinkles on offense could prove to be what Bigelow needs to avenge last year's loss.
ADVANTAGE: Even
DEFENSIVE LINE
Perryville returns some starters to its already solid defense, including Alberson and senior Josh Moore.
Bigelow will look to many of its offensive starters to play a role on defense, including for Bigelow, the offensive line will be the strength of the team, allowing Stark to call a few more pass plays than he has in the past.
QUARTERBACK
Senior Greg Stivers will take the snaps for the Perryville offense, after throwing for more than 1,000 yards a year ago. More along Clayton's line of thought is Stivers' running ability - he rushed for more than 500 yards last year.
Starting at quarterback for Bigelow will be sophomore Spencer Langston. The youthful signal caller, like his counterpart, will be looked to for running as much as passing.
ADVANTAGE: Perryville
BACKFIELD
The Mustangs have a trio of running backs that could all contribute in this game. Seniors Tyler Blackmon and Kane Drye as well as junior Tyler McAnally will test the Bigelow defensive line throughout the night.
DeAndre Grinder, Bigelow's sophomore fullback, will carry most of the load when it comes to running the ball. If he can stay healthy, after injuring his knee early last year, Grinder could be an impressive force on offense.
ADVANTAGE: Perryville
RECEIVING
Clayton's teams have never Tommy Ellis and Dylan Anderson.
"We've got to be physical up front," Starks said. "We're physically strong enough."
ADVANTAGE: Bigelow
LINEBACKERS
Royce McClain will lead the way for the Mustangs' linebacking corps, adding speed to an already physical position. Jonathan Phillips will also look to contribute.
For Bigelow, Gunther will lead the linebackers, who will be called upon heavily in this game to help slow down the rushing attack of Perryville.
ADVANTAGE: Even
SECONDARY
Stivers will return to his role in the secondary this season, as will Blackmon, giving the Mustangs good decision makers in the secondary, ready to pounce on a mistake by the young Bigelow quarterback.
Back up running back Troy Brown and wide receiver Cody Wiley will use their speed to close in on Perryville runners, should they get past the defensive line, or knock down the occasional pass.
ADVANTAGE: Even