At this time last year, the “nay sayers” were questioning Paris’s undefeated record, citing their non-conference schedule. Many believed that the game at Atkins last year would be the Eagles’ first real test of the season. But quickly after the start of the game in front of a big crowd in Atkins, Paris struck quickly on a deep pass down the sideline for a touchdown, and the Red Devils appeared to go into a state of shock that last all game. And when the night was over, Paris had satisfied the “nay sayers” with a lopsided victory over the Red Devils at Atkins.
This season, it will be Akins who will travel into hostile territory and will be focused on evening the score with Paris. Atkins has a proud football tradition, and they do not enjoy losing football games. For Paris to win, they must play their game, and play it well.
Paris is undefeated in the 3A-4 conference and has Atkins at home this Friday and will be at home again on October 25 to play Perryville in another critical conference game. If the Eagles can win this week and next, they will again be in position for another epic showdown in Booneville for perhaps the conference title. But the Eagles must focus on Atkins; they cannot afford to overlook the Red Devils by looking ahead to Perryville or Booneville.
The Eagles will also be playing to increase the value of their playoff seeding, and just as the case was last season, a finish of number one or two in the conference could give the Eagles the home field advantage in the first and second rounds. An undefeated conference season could mean having home field advantage in the first three rounds, and possibly facing another undefeated team to the west, the Charleston Tigers, deep in the state playoffs.
The weather forecast is dicey for this Friday with a significant chance of both rain and thunderstorms. If the weather holds at game time, I look for both teams to attempt to score quickly to take the lead in the game before conditions worsen. That is sometimes easier said than done, but the Eagles’ quick striking capability could be a plus for them early.
Resident Press will be in Paris for the Eagles game with Atkins, and we will bring you a recap of the game in the weekend edition of Resident Press.
So, bring your rain gear and your Eagle spirit! This should be a good one!
See you at the stadium!
