After making the long trek to play Washington-Wilkes last Friday, the Banks County High School football team will be able to compete in the friendly confines of home this week.
Riverside Military Academy is a program which also has a winning tradition. The Eagles, who are coming off a 21-20 victory over Class AAA Elbert County last Friday, also present a different kind of challenge for the Leopards and other members of Region 8-AA.
“They have kids from all over the country,” said BCHS coach Blair Armstrong. “When you look at their roster it’s like looking at a roster for a college team. I realize not all of their kids go there to play college football, but some probably do.”
The Leopard coaches watched Riverside during its preseason scrimmage and will have watched the Eagles on tape against Elbert. Armstrong said Riverside is not as big up front as Washington-Wilkes but runs a “good scheme.”
“Their kids stay on campus and they have unlimited time with them,” The BCHS coach said. “I believe they are going to be one of the top three or four teams in the region. We are going to have our work cut out for us. We are capable of winning, but we are going to have to play well.”
Riverside runs a spread on offense, similar to Washington-Wilkes and will run a 4-4 defensive look.
“Every game is important from now on,” Armsrong said. “I believe the region race will go down to the last game of the regular season. It is going to be a battle for the four state playoff spots.”
The Leopards remained a member of Region 8-AA this fall, but several new schools moved in including Riverside. The Eagles have already proved in week one they are going to be a force to be dealt with by defeating Class AAA Elbert County.
“We know this is going to be a tough game,” Armstrong said.