Football

fans get ready.

The

schedules for the 2000 Georgia High School football

season were released last week and there are some very

interesting differences. First and foremost, four of our

local schools now reside in 4-AAAAA. Starr's Mill and

McIntosh are in Division A, while Fayette County and East

Coweta are in Division B. Secondly, Sandy Creek has

jumped up a class as they have moved up to 4-AAAA, and

Northgate has moved up to 5-AA. Lastly, the schedules

have changed, pitting rivals against each other at key

moments during the season.

The first

noticeable difference in scheduling is in the first week

of the season as Fayette County travels to McIntosh High

School to face their rivals. Typically, this game is

played later in the season and a win is sure to give

either team a great deal of momentum going into the

second week. Another major rivalry that comes at an

interesting point of the season is during the last week

of the season when East Coweta hosts Newnan. That game

could have major playoff implications for both teams and

each year is a battle for both squads.

Starr's

Mill will also get a chance to begin two new football

rivalries in the area, as they will face Fayette County

in Fayetteville the second week of the season and will

play at McIntosh on Oct. 27. Sandy Creek faces a number

of the same teams from last year's schedule but will have

to play against Union Grove and Westlake this year.

Northgate will face an entirely new schedule with the

exceptions of their games at Callaway and at Greenville.

Landmark Christian will be in a similar situation, only

playing against four teams from last year's schedule.

The new

classifications also give the local teams new opponents.

Those in 4-AAAAA now have to face teams such as Forest

Park, Riverdale, Evans, Mt. Zion, Jonesboro, North

Clayton and Morrow. These teams have not met in recent

years and will make games for regional bragging rights

more interesting.

Any way you

slice it, this will be a fascinating season. With

schedule changes, teams jumping up classes and groups of

eager players and coaches ready to prove their mettle,

the 2000 football season will be a great kick-off to high

school football in the 21st Century.