After a year of playing eight-man football, Ellwood Christina Academy head coach Mike Stokes is just happy to be back in familiar territory.

The Eagles will make the jump back to 11-man football for the first time since changing the school’s name.

“I’m real happy with it (the change),” Stokes said. “I caught on (to eight-man rules) at the end, but it was just a big adjustment. We were able to take over Dixie Academy’s schedule because they are closing, so that is nice since we weren’t able to make a schedule.”

The Eagles will be a young team this year, with only eighth, ninth and 10th grade players filling out the roster of 21.

Even though Ellwood is young, Stokes said he sees talent from his team.

“They have been working,” Stokes said. “This is probably one of the hardest working teams I have had since I have been coaching. I have these young kids, that I can work step-by-step with them, so I am pleased with that. I don’t have seniors, but I have eighth, ninth and 10th grade athletes that I get to work with, which is nice.”

The Eagles, due to their schedule will get to inherit a natural rival when they join the same area as Meadowview Christian School.

“Coach (John) Glasscock and I have talked about it a little bit this week actually,” Stokes said. “We both kind of want this to develop into a good, clean rivalry. Having something like that just adds a little bit of motivation for the players. If you win, you get to pass by with a little smirk. If you lose, you may have to go to the other side of the street,” he joked.

The rivalry will get started Friday at 7 p.m. when the two squads face each other in their spring game at MCS.

“We’re ready,” Stokes said. “I know coach Glasscock will have his team ready. It’s going to be good.“