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On Friday at 7:30 p.m.the Patriots of Patrick Henry Academy will invade Richard Winn’s stadium for the Eagle’s first ever eight man football game.

This is the Eagle’s first season in SCISA competition and with the team coming off of a rain out in last week’s jamboree, this will be fans’ first chance to see the Eagle’s new offense and defense in action.

Fans will see lower jersey numbers, something allowed by the eight man football division even for offensive linemen.

Coach Kenny Atkerson of Richard Winn said that he anticipates a high scoring, entertaining game.

This 19-man squad for Richard Winn must adjust to new schemes since there will be three fewer players on each side of the ball, but the players have a lot of heart and feel they are up to the challenge of the x’s and o’s.

The pace resembles that of arena league football but at the end of the day, the coach said that blocking and tackling are still pretty much the same.

The game remains a physical one, and this one may just come down to which team can run the ball better.

Administrators at Richard Winn believe this will be an exciting brand of football and match the school up against other private schools of similar size and skill.

Atkerson looks to improve on last year’s 2-8 mark starting under the lights in the friendly confines of home.

The Patriots by contrast must make the long trek from Estill to Winnsboro for the contest.

Unlike other games this season, this game is not a double header with middle school games starting first because the middle school team does not open play until Aug. 24 at 5:30.

By starting in Week Zero of the football season, Richard Winn gave up one extra week of practice time, but that also means they will have one leg up with game experience on other teams, especially when they begin conference play Aug. 31 on the road at Greenwood Christian Academy.