W.S. Neal will host Thomasville this Friday. Coming off a tough loss on the road versus Tallassee, things will not get easier for the Eagles when it faces off against the Tigers in the region matchup.

Senior Chad Bryant will be returning as quarterback, as well senior runningback Darion Nevils, Zack Woodard and Keshan Austin.

“(Thomasville) has a good quarterback (Bryant) who can run and throw the ball,” Neal head coach Doug Hoehn said. “He’s a three-year starter. We’re going to have to be aware of that. Because he’s capable of beating you with his legs and arm we have to be balanced on defense.

“They have good linebacker (Quanta Watkins), one of the best we’ll see this year,” he said. “Their offensive and defensive lines are physical. I expect it to be a physical game. They have some speed at receivers. They’re a good football team. We’re really going to have to limit our mental mistakes, turnovers and penalties.”

Penalties may have cost the Eagles its first game of the season, so it was no surprise that Hoehn said one of his team’s focuses in preparation is to limit those mistakes.

“We have to reduce penalites. That’s come with experience,” he said. “This game Friday is another opportunity for some players to get more experience ahead of schedule than what was projected because of  injuries. We’re expecting them to improve every week. They have improved a lot since Aliceville.”

Hoehn knows the importance of winning region games.

“We need our young kids to grow up fast, to understand their assignment, take care of the football and reduce our penalties. That’s what we’ll have to do to be successful this game and the rest of the season.”
Thomasville won 17-7 last year against the Eagles and finished second in region standings behind UMS-Wright.

Thomasville is coming off a 42-35 win versus Sweet Water. Kickoff will be in East Brewton at 7 p.m.