What better way to start off the 2009 season with two home-grown coaches with one single goal: to win a state championship for the school they played for.

Chad Odom and his Sylva-Bay Saints will welcome Marlon Brannan and his Red Devils next Thurday, August 20 at Sylva-Bay. This is not the start of their quest to reach Jackson, but it is the first time in history that each coach passes the barrier of public and academy rilvary. The question for years in Jasper County has been debated: Can an academy compete with public schools?

Well, congratulations, we’re about to find out.

Odom has been a Saint all of his life and the head coach for ten years. Last year, he led the Saints to one of their best seasons, leading them all the way to the South State playoffs

Next week, Odom will be a part of one of the most historical games in Jasper County.

“This is such a big deal to the community,” said Odom. “This is the best team we’ll play all year. They are athletic and well coached. After this, we’ll know how good we can be.”

Brannan, in his third year, knows the importance of this to the community, also, but he also has to manage the expectations of a public school being favored in this type of game.

Not so fast, my friend! Brannan refuses to fall for that trap. “If Sylva-Bay wins this game, it will be because they outplayed us,” said Brannan. “At the end of the day, it’s a football game. Whether I’m the coach or who ever’s coaching, it’s still a football game. The best team that night is going to win.”

Brannan’s ultimate goal is to take the Red Devils back to the State Championships. He played on the ‘90 and ‘91 championship teams.

While each team may be a long shot for the state championship ths season, they will make history next Thursday. The Saints will get to taste public school football, while the Red Devils will find where they stand before navigating through one of the toughest 2A districts in the state.

The decision to schedule this game all started with a simple phone call between two Jasper County boys, when a game date became available, but this game could spur a rivalry for many years down the road.

If you want to get a good seat at this historical game, you may want to take off work a little early that day. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

By the way, the Jasper County News is looking for a name for this rilvary game. Submit your ideas below.