Eagles ready for district opener with Shelbyville
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

After starting the year with a 35-12 loss at the hands of Coldspring, the Woodville Eagles have reeled off four straight victories as they head into the start of District 23-2A play.

Woodville opens district Friday on the road against the Shelbyville Pirates.

While some squads might not want the bye week on the heels of a fourgame winning streak, Woodville Head Football Coach Steve Fentress believes the week off will benefit his squad.

"I think it will be good for us," Fentress said. "We have been going hard since Aug. 6 and we plan on getting better at the little things this week. These are the things you don't have the opportunity to work on when you are playing every week."

Last year, Woodville collected its sole district win against Shelbyville. The Eagles defeated the Pirates 21-6 in Woodville last year.

But Fentress is expected the Pirates to come out and play hard as they try to avenge last year's defeat to the Eagles.

"They will come out in that spread offense and their younger kids did a pretty good job last year," Fentress said. "They are getting better every year and that's a good thing. They have been down for so long, those kids need to realize that they can play with these teams in this district."

The Dragons return 14 starters from last year's winless squad.

Even though Woodville stands at 4-1 on the season, Fentress and his coaching staff reminded the Eagles this week that records go out the window with the start of district play.

"They understand that we are all even when district begins," Fentress said. "Even the teams that are 5-0 are even with us. They are a mature bunch of kids so I think they know that and they are probably going to hear that from the coaches as well."