Friday Night Lights: BDC Co-Favorite Awaits Fighting Falcons

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[For Elverado-Trico's Fighting Falcons, a season opener probably couldn't get any tougher.

Looking for its first win since a week #3 triumph over Johnston City in 2007, enters Friday's contest at Fairfield with a 15-game losing streak.

Fairfield, on the other hand, is picked by many as perhaps the team to beat-along with Carterville-in the Black Diamond Conference.

The Mules return 13 starters from last year's Class 3A playoff qualifying unit.

"This would be a tough opener for a lot of teams and not just Elverado-Trico," said second year E-T coach Duffy Sanders (0-9) said. "Fairfield is a big and physical team with plenty of experience."

Matt Brown (5'4, 190, sr.) and Cody Yarnell (5'9, 155, jr.) will carry much of the load in Fairfield's punishing ground attack.

The new quarterback is Andrew Attebury (5'10, 155, jr.) with juniors Austin Moore (5'10, 195) and Jordan Griffith (5'8, 185) working the fullbck position.

Up front, the Mules rely on senior tight ends Tim Moore (6'3, 180) and John Reynolds (6'4, 215). Tackles Hunter Bryan (6'2, 260, sr.), Caleb Smith (6'2, 245, sr.) anchor a strong offensive line, along with junior Shelby Esmon (6'3, 265).

Moore, Reynolds, Victor Skaggs (6'0, 180, jr.) and Bryan give the Mules a strong presence on the defensive line.

The secondary and linebacker groups-led by Dylan Sarles (6'2, 170, jr.), Attebury and Josh Smith (5'7, 165, sr.)-also brings back plenty of talent.

"We will be much more competitive and improved this time around," Sanders said about the upcoming season. The lack of numbers at the varsity level (23) will hurt us again. But we hope to be able to sneak up on some people."

E-T builds it triple option attack around sophomore quarterback Andrew McGill (6'2, 170).

Seniors Kyle Easton (5'9, 220) and Herby Sandlin (5'7, 165), junior Randy Goetz (5'9, 180) and sophomore Dalton Porter (5'9, 170) are expected to be the primary ball carriers.

Alex Rodman (6'1, 180, sr.) is back at tight end with wideout Trevor Compton (6'3, 180, jr.) providing McGill with a tall and fast target.

Up front, Zach Robertson (5'11, 205, sr.) leads the way. Steven Batteau (5'10, 175, jr.), center Curtis Compton (6'3, 180, jr.) and John Dallas (6'0, 185, jr.) return along the offensive line.

Robertson, McGill, Easton, Rodman and Goetz give the Fighting Falcons solid play at the linebacker and end positions

Sandlin started in the secondary last season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Fairfield's "Trainyard."