Prep Football: Bragging Rights

Rivalry Week and Homecoming

One alone is enough to get Brandon Hampton giddy, but combine the two and you have a recipe that makes the Eldorado head coach smile from ear-to-ear.

Eldorado, who is off to a 3-1 start, will take on Black Diamond Conference rival Hamilton County (1-3) Friday at Boz Adams Field.

"You want the kids to enjoy Homecoming week and all the things that come with it, but it's important for us to stay focused on the task at hand that's coming away with a victory Friday night." Hampton said.

Hampton said that historically, Hamilton County is a team that has always played Eldorado tough and for all intent and purposes you can throw regular season and all time records out the window.

"Last year, it was a slugfest the first half and I expect it to be a dog fight this year."

A last-second, hail mary win at the buzzer gave the Foxes a win over Vienna-Goreville in Week 2. It's also a win that Hampton says have Hamilton County "believing."

"They got a win in dramatic fashion and I'm sure that momentum will carry them several weeks," he said. "They have some athletes at quarterback and running back, but what stands out when you look at their roster is they have 17 seniors. So, that' a big senior class."

Hampton noted that the Foxes have had a lot of success at the lower levels, but in recent years, that same success hasn't translated to win on Friday nights.

"For us, at this point in the season, you're either getting better or getting worse. You're constantly trying to find ways to improve," Hampton added. "I really think we've done that defensively. We've challenged the football team to make that same step on offense, particularly our offensive line. We have time to improve and the kids' attitude have been great, but at this point, down the stretch we want to be the team that is improving."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.