BUSHLAND, TEXAS -- The high school football season is back. The first week promises some good action on the field, among those Stratford and Bushland two teams that have quite the reputation.
These two powerhouses aren't strangers, with the Falcons getting the best of both battles over the past couple of years. Both coaches think having this playoff atmosphere to start the season really sets the tone.
"It's always a good game, Stratford is the kind of team that you want on your schedule, because you know you'll get better by playing those guys," said Bushland Head Coach David Flowers.
" The only way you get better is to play people of your caliber or better than you, I don't think you get better playing teams your suppose to beat by big numbers," said Stratford Head Coach Eddie Metcalf.
Both teams will face different challenges to start off the season. For Bushland it's inexperience at key positions, and for the Elks it's being healthy.
"Injuries are a part of the game, we're not as healthy as we want to be going into the opener, no excuses we're still going to play our best," said Metcalf.
"We need a baptism by fire pretty quick, and that's what we're doing. We've been doing well in practice and we had a really good scrimmage last week versus Canadian," said Flowers.
It will be friends and foes, when these two coaches meet up.
"I've known Coach Metcalf a long time, we know if he gets loud and starts yelling we did something good, but he gets fired up and hollering when they do something good as well," Flowers said jokingly.
"Were going to show up Friday, play hard and face a great football team, and see if we can't get better," said Metcalf.
The showdown starts Friday night 7:30pm at Bushland.
