Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals open the 2009 season this Friday night at

Jewell Field, against Monroe County. The Cards are coming off a 7-4 season

that produced a share of the program's first ever district title, while the

Falcons soared to an impressive 12-2 campaign and claimed a regional

championship in 2008. Both squads enter the 11th meeting between the two

schools, looking to start the new season on an up-tick.

"This is always an exciting time of the year. All the off-season work in

the weight room and the preseason practice time, it's finally time to

kick-off for real. Monroe County had an unbelievable run last year and even

though this is not a district game, I think Monroe is certainly a rival.

Every time we play both teams get after it pretty good and leave it all on

the field. To open the season with a team of their caliber, we know we'll

have to play extremely well," said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson."

Monroe County evened the all-time series at 5-5, with a 26-19 win at

Jewell Field, last November to end the regular season and now teams battle

in the opener nine months later.

"Every time we play, we know it will be a battle, but I think it's a

game that is certainly good for both teams. We've played the past 10 years

in a row and each team has won five, so I don't think a rivalry can be much

better. We have a lot of respect for each other and while the game is hard

fought with a lot of intensity, it's all left on the field," said Falcons

head coach John Petett.

Monroe County graduated 18 seniors, but Petett's cupboard is far from

bare led by a pair of Division One prospects.

Neil Wilson, a 6-2, 185 lbs. senior wide receiver, returns after posting

almost 800 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. The All-State

candidate is rated in the preseason as one of the top 50 seniors in the

state in various coaches polls.

"Wilson is a big time playmaker and we must be aware of him at all

times. They do a great job of trying to force man coverage and utilizing his

abilities. We have to be aware of not letting him get behind the coverage,

but they also have one of the best running backs we'll see in Tanner

Kendall," said Thompson.

Kendall, a 6-1, 150 lbs. senior, rushed for over 1,200 yards last season

and certainly impressed the Cards head coach.

"I think he's bigger, stronger and faster this year, so they can give a

defense fits with the run and the pass. Our defensive line has to be the

aggressor and win the battle up front, but we have to be sound and stay in

our areas. Monroe County has weapons, we just have to be smart and play with

a lot of focus, but play with a high level of intensity, "said Thompson.

The Falcons averaged 35 points per game and will use several different

offensive formations. The squad likes to run the power game out of the

wishbone, but will also use some spread to force the defense's hand.

"Coach Detett and his staff do a very nice job they mix things up well

and put the ball in their playmakers hands. They certainly are an extremely

talented and difficult team to open against, " said Thompson.

The Cardinal offense, which returns several weapons of their own from a

squad that averaged 32 points per contest, faces a Monroe defense that bases

out of the 40 look.

"They play a very, very aggressive 4-4 look and are a typical Monroe

County defense. They all swarm the football well, very good tacklers and are

a very good team up front. We'll have to match their intensity and get off

the football and play a clean game with few penalties and no turnovers,"

said Thompson.

The Cards offense will be led by the senior tandem of D.J. Hall and Zack

Stephenson. Hall accounted for over 1,450 yards, with 1,286 of that on the

ground and totaled a team best 21 touchdowns in 2008. Stephenson connected

on 96 of 186 pass attempts for 1,301 yards with 13 scores, plus rushed 129

times for 269 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The unit also has a trio of seniors returning on the offensive line, as

Coty Bell, Steven Dautrich and Del Jones will be counted to lead the battle

in the trenches.

"I think we can do some good things on offense. We want and need to be

able to move the football, control the clock and be able to finish off

drives. Hopefully we'll get the jitters out early and go hard for four

quarters. We know it will take a very good effort to win, "said Thompson.

Petett also knows the game will be about execution and the team that

makes the fewest mistakes.

"We feel Wayne County is one of the best teams on our schedule. They

have a very hard-nosed team and even though we lost 19 kids off last year's

team, I think we also have a chance to be a very good football team. At this

point our offense is really struggling to find our identity and we're

scrambling to find it. We'll have to play well, but this should be a good

opener for both teams, " said Petett.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday night at Jewell field.