The Pike County Bulldogs face another cross-county rival this week as they host the Goshen Eagles.

After falling to Charles Henderson last Friday night in the preseason opener head coach Fred Holland and the Bulldogs have to quickly turn the page and get ready for their official season opener.

“So far we have had a pretty good week of practice this week. Some of the guys are still learning the offense,” Holland said. “We have been coming along pretty good we are just getting ready for the game.”

In last Friday’s loss to Charles Henderson the Bulldogs struggled to move the ball in the first half but were able to pick up steam in the second half and nearly walked away with the win.

Senior quarterback Jerrell Lawson and the very talented group of Bulldog receivers will be relied on to move the ball and put up big numbers against the Eagles.

“We have looked a lot better offensively this week, we have improved on some of things that we have been doing,” Holland said. “We really have picked it up offensively. I think the coaches have done a really good job with them as far as getting them prepared for the game. The players are really excited about what they are doing and their preparation this week has been very good.”

The Bulldogs will be matching up with a team that has yet to play an entire game. Last week the Eagles played Mackenzie in a jamboree that lasted just one half.

“We have been good at sizing them up, the only thing we really don’t know is how fast they are,” Holland said. “I think as far as our passing game goes we are looking pretty good and I think we matchup pretty good against them. I think they guys are going good learning some of the plays that we have been working on and the receivers are looking forward to it.”

The Eagles also have a potential to but up some big numbers, they are led offensively by senior quarterback Kendrez White, who will get the bulk of the playing time under center Friday night.

“We have our work cut out for us. He is a very athletic quarterback,” Holland said. “He really runs the offense for them. We are going to have our hands full trying to contain him.”

This week the Bulldogs have had to transition from fall camp to the preseason opener to now having to prepare for the their second rival in the last two weeks.

After falling behind in the first half against Charles Henderson a week ago the Bulldogs understand the importance of starting the game off fast and holding down the gas pedal throughout the entire game.

“We are excited about getting off to a fast start Goshen just happens to be our second contest this year,” Holland said. “We have improved a lot on the things that we didn’t do against Charles Henderson and I think we are really coming along.

As for playing a county rival in back-to-back weeks to kick of the season, Holland and the Bulldogs welcome the challenge and the competition.

“It’s not quite as big as the Troy game but we look forward to it,” Holland said. “The kids are really familiar with those guys. They are going to be pumped up to play us and we are going to be excited to play them.”

According Holland the Bulldogs have treated this week of practice just like any other week, except this week they seem to have a little more energy with it being the official season opener.

Kick off between the Eagles and Bulldogs will at 7 p.m. at Bulldogs Stadium.