On the home turf of William Carey University, the Scorpions will begin the new season against Belhaven University (Miss.) at 5 p.m. Friday before taking on Mid-Continent University (Ky.) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Belhaven, a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, finished last year with a 10-4-2 record. Mid-Continent, a member of the TranSouth Athletic Conference, went 6-8-5 in 2009.
 
"It is always an exciting time as you begin the new campaign," Balaguero said. "Belhaven is a very good team. They will be well organized and disciplined. We are expecting a very tough home game from both them and Mid-Continent. It will be a very difficult road trip, one which will give us a good gauge as to where we are at."

UTB/TSC had the NAIA's only unbeaten record in 2009 with a 17-0-2 mark. The Scorpions won the Red River Athletic Conference championship for the third straight year and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. UTB/TSC tied Biola University (Calif.), 2-2, but Biola advanced to the Sweet 16 by virtue of a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks.

"We have had a mixed pre season, and have suffered some injuries," Balaguero said. "However, we have  a very resilient bunch of driven players. Our fitness level is the best I have seen since being here, so I feel we are ready to roll."