Backyard rivalries always bring out the best in football teams and the @FNEFootball Game of the Week between Albemarle and Monticello should be no different.

The Patriots haven't beaten the Mustangs since 2006 and are looking to bounce back from a 21-12 loss in Week 1 to another county rival, Western Albemarle.

Meanwhile the Mustangs were home last week and begin their season with Friday's visit to Albemarle.

Monticello says it enjoyed having an extra week of training camp but jumping right into the season with a rivalry game excites them.

"You know our two schools, really any two of the city/county schools, whenever they play it's always a big rivalry and there's always going to be a lot of emotion and people in the stands," Monticello head coach Rodney Redd explained.

"There's going to be a lot of people there. It's going to be really fun. We love it," junior lineman Adam Hill added.

Albemarle has the advantage of having already started its season but the Patriots don't believe that will give them much of an edge between the two rivals.

"You know people at the other school, you get a little talking. It's just a good atmosphere especially since we got it at home," junior Drake Bryant explained.

The rivalry has been a one-sided affair of late, with Albemarle's last victory coming in 2006, a footnote Patriots' head coach Mike Alley would like to change.

"Something that's a focus of the players and focus of us as coaches is that it's been a while since we've been able to beat Monticello so we're going to try to do our best tomorrow."