Eagles take show on road to open season

Eldorado will take a four-game win streak into what has been one of the better Black Diamond Conference rivalries Friday night when the Eagles invade Johnston City.

However, since 1996, the Indians hold a 17-8 advantage over the Eagles.

For third year head coach Joe Clark, the only number that matters to him is 1, as in Week 1.

"We've spent so much time preparing, we are just looking forward to getting out there and playing. One of the downfalls to Illinois football is you get no preseason games. It will be baptism by fire and we just want to be prepared and execute. I think the two teams are evenly matched and for us, we have to eliminate the anxiousness and get ready to go."

Clark returns Aiden Clark at quarterback. The senior threw for over 900 yards last year and eight touchdowns, but the EHS head coach knows most battles are won up front.

"It will come down to whoever can control the line of scrimmage. We've spent a lot of time on the offensive and defensive lines. We just hope we can make enough plays to come out on top."

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.