Eagles Defense Faces Early Test

A new defensive system for football will face an early test on Friday night.

The Eagles will travel to Crystal City for the season-opening game against a Hornets offense that features some playmakers who can score a lot of points. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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During a 6-5 season last year, the Hornets averaged 30 points per game, led by seniors running back Stacey Thornton and wide receiver Austin Helwig.

The 6-foot-3 Helwig led the Jefferson County Conference in receiving last year, STLToday.com reports. Facing an offense that likes to pass, the Eagles defense must keep an eye on Helwig.

But they must also watch Thornton out of the backfield, Herring said.

"He's the real deal," Herring said. 

Thornton is a 5-foot-8, 164-pound back that can run the ball but also catches a lot of passes out of the backfield, Herring said.

But the Eagles (6-4 last year), have a new defensive system to throw at the Hornets.

Herring started installing the defense when he took over .

The emphasizes stunts and blitzes, Herring said. It features three linemen, while five linebackers move around the box.

And as long as those linebackers can contain an offensive attack from Helwig, Thornton and the Hornets, the Eagles can expect to find success on Friday night.

(Follow editor Ryan Martin on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBPatch.)