The start of the 2016 football season is on the horizon, and this evening, Ben’s Ford Christian School is taking to the road to scrimmage against Prentiss Christian School at 6 p.m.

Eagles first-year coach Robert N. Cook said he’s looking to refine the offense and defense, and added that it’ll give his team a chance to face a different opponent.

“Our players have been hitting each other and now it’s a chance for them to hit other people,” Cook said. “We want to go into our jamboree clicking on all cylinders.”

The jamboree is next Friday at Ben’s Ford. The Eagles play the final game of a tripleheader against New Orleans Home School. That game is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Cook said today’s scrimmage will be a day of competition.

“That’s not us against Prentiss, that’s guys trying to solidify spots. I want a kid that’s going to step and say ‘this is my spot.’ If you want it, you’ve got to come to work and take it,” Cook said.

The Eagles played their spring game against Bowling Green and Cook is happy with the improvement his team has made since that May competition.

“The kids are buying into what we’re selling,” Cook said. “The kids have just worked, worked, worked. I couldn’t be prouder of the effort of these kids, with the work they’ve put in over the summer. It’s time for them to see the fruit of their work.”

The scrimmage will feature sets of plays by the offense and defense of both teams. Cook said everybody will get playing time. Ben’s Ford tallied a 1-9 record last season.

The Eagles begin the regular season Friday, Aug. 19, on the road against Wilkinson County Christian Academy.