For months Pike Liberal coaches and players have been crossing the days off their calendars.

Finally, the opening day of the 2014 football season has arrived for the Patriots.

Pike’s new ears will get underway inside the friendly confines of Delaney Kervin Stadium against its biggest rival, Macon-East Montgomery.

“I think the kids are really excited and ready to go,” said Pike head coach Gene Allen. “I know that I am. We are tired of beating on each other, and when you get to game prep, the excitement level always jumps back up. Friday can’t get here fast enough.”

Macon-East leads the all time series 10-4, and Pike hasn’t beaten the Knights since reeling off the three consecutive wins from 2008-2010. The only other Patriot win came 2004.

Allen, along with Macon-East head coach Glynn Lott, wanted to play the game, but scheduling woes wouldn’t allow the two teams to meet in a scrimmage. However, AISA rules allow for teams to play an 11th game in certain situations.

The rule sets the stage for one of the best private school rivalries in all of Alabama.

“The kids know each other pretty well,” Allen said. “They play baseball, basketball, golf and about every other thing you can think of against one another. We are pretty close together, just about 30 miles or so, so Coach Lott and I both really wanted to the play the game. It all worked out, and we are ready to go.”

The 25th ever meeting between the Patriots and Knights is slated for a 7 p.m. start at Dwight Ward Field at Delaney Kervin Stadium in Troy.