FAIRHOPE &8212; The Linden Patriots are heading south today to face the biggest test for the group this season, and likely one of the toughest gridiron challenges the school has seen in its history.

The 1A group is heading to 6A Fairhope High School to get its teeth wetted against a seemingly insurmountable team that is eying the third spot in its region in the south behind powerhouses Daphne and Foley. And the game was an add on to the Patriot schedule, replacing what should have been an off week.

Specifically Williams is worried about his group&8217;s playing time heading into the post season, where the squad is poised to clinch the second seed in their region.

Williams is hoping the game against the highly favored Fairhope squad, which as a 6A team will outweigh Linden in the depth department, will prepare his team for the challenges they will face in the post season. He said the challenge posed to his team by game, made the offer to play Fairhope something he couldn&8217;t refuse.

Williams said the rest will be decided at the game. He said he is expecting a young team out of Fairhope, but one that is filled with talent at key positions in its pass-oriented offense.

Williams said, along with the quarterback, Fairhope has a number of good receivers, which allows the team to spread the ball in their pass attack. He said this means his secondary will face a tough game, in which their depth might not be as deep as Fairhope&8217;s.