Coach Tom Fallaw’s Cairo High School Syrupmakers run out of a multiple-I formation on offense and uses an eight-man front on defense.

The syrupmakers are the Bainbridge High School Bearcats regular season-opening opponent Saturday at 7;30 p.m. at West Thomas Stadium in Cairo.

“The Syrupmakers, the undefeated State Class AAA champions last season, lost a lot of great players off their great 2008 team, but they always have good athletes ready to step up when they get their chance,” Bearcats head coach Ed Pilcher said. “We will have to be ready when we go over there Saturday night.”

“Cairo does a good job of running and passing out of their multiple-I formation,” Pilcher said.

Among the players lost to graduation from their 2008 state championship team were quarterback Angelo Pease and running back Reginald Bryant, two of the best players at their positions in the state.

The Syrupmakers defeated the Mitchell County High School Eagles 41-14 in a preseason scrimmage Thursday night in Cairo.

A pair of juniors, Laquinton Williams and Miguel Smiley, give the Syrupmakers a solid one-two punch at running back.

Williams picked up 113 yards against Mitchell County while Smiley picked up 83 yards and had touchdown runs of 39 and 40 yards.

First year Syrupmakers starting senior quarterback Brian Walker rushed for 71 yards and scampered eight yards for a first-half touchdown against Mitchell County.

The Syrupmakers defense also had a couple of big plays against Mitchell County.

Senior free safety Jermyrin Bodiford made a big hit to force a fumble and a turnover and fellow junior defensive back Damien Cason picked off an interception.

Pilcher said he was impressed with the Syrupmakers defense in their preseason scrimmage win over Mitchell County.

“Cairo always plays good defense,” he said. “They really get after you and you have to execute well to move the ball on them.”