BULLARD - The good Lord willing, and the creeks rise no more, Brook Hill just might get to play a football game this Friday night after two weeks off.

The Guard will entertain what is becoming an intense local TAPPS rivalry with Grace Community, with a 7:30 kickoff set for Herrington Field on the Brook Hill School campus.

According to head coach, Jim Klacsak, the team is more than ready to play someone other than themselves.

"If you have to look at the bright side, we have had plenty of time to get healed up from what two times we HAVE played," said Klacsak after a cancelled scrimmage, followed by a week off, and then a cancellation with San Augustine this past week.

"But we made the most of it and got everybody back healthy, and with the seniors gone for a week, the younger players made some big strides in picking things up that can really help us in the long term," Klacsak added.

Brook Hill stands at 1-0 on the year after besting Hawkins, 28-7, on a hot Saturday afternoon, three weeks ago at All Saints, in the Azalea Orthopedics Tyler Classic.

Offensively, Brook Hill welcomes back all-state, tailback, Julius Johnson after missing the Hawkins game. The 2007 Tyler Morning Telegraph's Newcomer of the Year will split time with Jamel Bell, who scored on a nine yard run in the Hawkins win.

Quarterback, Tyler Baker accounted for 164 total yards, running for one score and throwing for another. Baker is occasionally backed up by Nichols to compliment the run game for The Guard.

Defensively, both Nichols and Chappelle at linebacker will have to help inside backer, Luke Molidor and Ross Lee plug-up the middle with the Guard's formidable defensive line force the Cougars to test their team speed.

Speedy headhunters, Nichols and Chappelle will try to force Grace to run the ball between the tackles, and at the same time, shutdown the Grace short-passing game.

Grace comes into the game with a 2-1 record after a 30-0, win over Malakoff this past weekend.

Nichols had a big interception against Hawkins that led to the first Guard score of the year. Chappelle made a fumble recovery.

Under the direction of head coach, Mike Maddox, the Cougars return four offensive starters and three on the defensive side of the ball.

Key players on the year thus far have been the consistent play of multi-purpose player, Kyle Childress and quarterback, Taylor Stanley.

Stanley threw for four touchdowns in their 30-0 win over Malakoff last week. Childress caught two of the scoring tosses and also ran in for a 33-yard touchdown. Last season Childress was a 'go-to' player with 32 catches for 576 yards and seven touchdowns receiving. Childress added three more scores as a return specialist and part-time running back.

Defensively, Grace will be led by defensive tackle, Edward Starkes, and Grace opened the season with a 36-28 win over Eustace in the Azalea Orthopedics Tyler Classic at All Saints opening week.

Always tough, Grapeland then gave the Cougs their only loss thus far with a hard-fought, 27-20, loss, before the Malakoff runaway last Friday.