FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Game week for the annual "War on the Shore" rivalry game between 6A No. 1 Daphne (7-0) and Fairhope (6-1) began Monday with a press conference at the Fairhope Recreation Center.

The game will be broadcast live from Fairhope Municipal Stadium to seven southern states by FOX Sports South at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The annual Eastern Shore rivalry game is part of the C Spire Wireless Bright Lights Football rivalry series, which features rivalry games from Alabama and Mississippi.

"Any time we can promote the high school kids in our area it is a plus," Daphne coach Glenn Vickery said. "We have great kids. To expose these two great communities, what a great place to live this is, to expose this to the country is tremendous."

Vickery's Trojans are the defending 6A state champions and are riding a 22-game win streak.

Fairhope, coached by David Faulkner, has reeled off five straight wins since losing to McGill-Toolen in the second week of the season.

"We are looking forward to Thursday night," Faulkner said. "I always tell people I've never been to work a day in my life. I get to come here and work with these great kids who play a great kids game. We are very lucky to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Lots of Division-1 level talent will be on display when the Pirates and Trojans square off on Thursday. Daphne has four players who have already committed: running back T.J. Yeldon (Auburn), linebacker Ryan Anderson (Alabama), defensive lineman Eric Lee (South Florida) and offensive lineman Jeremy Sparks (UL-Lafayette). Several other Daphne seniors are expected to play college football.

Fairhope offensive lineman Robert Leff has committed to play for Southern Miss, and center Kyron Samuels has the interest of a host of Division-1 schools. Several other Fairhope players are also expected to play in college.