The varsity football team will face the Herd in their first district football game Friday, Sept. 29 in Hereford at 7 p.m.

The Eagles are coming off a 35-7 win in Big Spring last week and heading into their fourth straight away game. Their first home game will be Oct. 6 against Amarillo High.

“For the first district game there’s a lot more intense preparation,” senior Ryan Boren said.  “Hereford has a lot of really big guys, and that’s kind of what they hang their hat on.”  

This will be Coach Blake Bryant’s 17th year to coach Canyon football against Hereford.  

“Hereford isn’t necessarily a big-time rival, but there’s a lot of tradition in this game,” Boren said. “We really don’t like Hereford, so we really want to win this game. It is a good chance to prove ourselves.”  

Boren said Hereford’s best players are their three main defensive linemen.

“Our offensive linemen are having to work really hard this week,” Boren said. “Our quarterback is going to have to work hard getting the ball out quick this game.”

Junior quarterback Lawton Rikel said the football team’s main goal is to focus on their job and come out with a win.  

“This week I’ve been working on recognizing their looks and knowing when certain plays are good and when they aren’t,” Rikel said.

Rikel said going into this week the Eagles get to prove themselves against a good Hereford team.

“The first district game is a fresh start for us,” Rikel said. “We’re heading into this week 0-0.”  

Hereford’s current record is three wins and zero losses.  

“We have played four games away on the road, and we have the chance to prove ourselves this week since it’s the first district game,” senior Kaden McPherson said.  “This game will be good for us to prepare for the rest of the season and see where we stand going into district.”