After a wild offseason, it's game week for the Blytheville Chickasaws and Gosnell Pirates.
New Chickasaw coach Vince McCrosky is preparing his team for county rival Osceola, which plays its first game as a 3A school Friday night, when the Seminoles visit Haley Field.
Meanwhile, new Gosnell coach Gary Moody is readying his club for Class 5A opponent Forrest City, which makes the trip to Gosnell Friday night for both teams season openers. Also around the county Friday night, Manila hosts Westside and Rivercrest travels to East Poinsett County.
Meanwhile, neither McCrosky or Moody had the typical time to prepare this summer. Because of the timing of their hirings, they weren't able to meet their respective teams until July.
McCrosky, who returns to Blytheville after assisting here from 1992 through 1997 and then again from 2004 through 2005, replaced Maurice Moody, who resigned abruptly in June after roaming the BHS sidelines for two years.
Gary Moody (no relation to Maurice), who spent the last four seasons at McCrory, replaces former head coach, Brian Sims, who resigned in June to take the position of offensive line coach at Greenwood.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com