It’s been nearly 15 years since the Washington Demons met the Albia Blue Demons on the gridiron. This Friday’s season opener marks the eighth time Washington has met Albia and the Demons have won all seven previous meetings. Washington head football coach Garrison Carter is very familiar with the Blue Demons’ program.

Carter graduated from Centerville High School in 2006, located 21 miles south of Albia. He states Centerville and Albia are rivals and have met 27 times on the football field. Carter was the starting wide receiver for the Big Red when they defeated Albia, 33-0, during his junior season in 2004. He played against several current members of Albia’s coaching staff.

The Blue Demons current head coach Jerry Staton wasn’t with the Blue Demon football program when Carter was in high school, but the Demons’ head coach calls Staton one of the better high school football coaches in the state. Staton is entering his 10th season with the Albia football program, leading the Blue Demons to five straight playoff appearances. Staton won a state championship with the Oskaloosa Indians football team in 1996.

The Blue Demons finished last season with a 12-1 record, winning all nine of their regular season contests. Albia lost 23 graduates off last year’s team.

KCII Sports will have live play-by-play coverage of Washington’s season opening football game versus the Albia Blue Demons at Albia High School, beginning with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show Friday at 7 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.