The wait is over.

The varsity football teams from our local high schools will start the

2004 season tonight. For some, the games are important early-season region

matchups, while others will get to see how they measure up against some

of the top programs in the state.

In region 4-AAAAA, Fayette County and Starr's Mill open against

non-region opponents.

- Fayette County is on the road at Upson Lee. The Tigers

are coming off of a 1-9 season while the Knights went 8-2 last year and

lost in the first round of the state playoffs.

- Starr's Mill will begin their season once again

in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome. The Panthers' match

against Walton will take place at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. Starr's Mill

had an uneven year last year, while Walton went undefeated during the

regular season and made the second round of the state playoffs.

In region 4-AAAA, both McIntosh and Sandy Creek begin their region

schedules right away, while Whitewater begins their non-region schedule.

- McIntosh, new to the region, will open against Douglas

County. The Chiefs were just one win away from the playoffs last year

and are hoping that their attitude and work ethic translate into a good

season. Douglas County went 6-4 last year and lost in the first round

of the playoffs.

- Sandy Creek went undefeated in the regular season last

year but lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots graduated

a number of talented players but are hoping to reload and once again

be a contender in the region. They will host Villa Rica, which went 7-3

last year and also lost in the first round of the playoffs.

- Whitewate r will play a non-region schedule this year,

made up mostly of teams in Class A. The Wildcats only have freshmen and

sophomores but they have talent up and down the lineup. They will play

at Temple, a 5-5 team and first round playoff loser last year.

In region 5-A:

- Landmark Christian went 9-1 last year and lost in the

state quarterfinals. The War Eagles graduated a lot of talent, but should

have another successful year. They will host Twiggs County, which also

went 9-1 but lost in the second round of the playoffs.

- Our Lady of Mercy went 2-8 last year, but have a new

coach and a new attitude. They will host Pacelli, a highly ranked team

that went 10-0 last year before losing in the second round of the state

playoffs.

All Friday night games are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.