McIntosh faced Fayette County and Sandy Creek hosted Lovejoy last Friday

in what many consider to be glorified practices. This Friday's scrimmages

will look and feel more like a real game. Though the results still won't

count in the overall record, teams want to start the season on the right

foot and with some momentum if possible.

McIntosh will travel down Peachtree Parkway Friday to take on Starr's

Mill. The Chiefs' loss to the Panthers last year kept them out of

the playoffs and McIntosh's coaches would love to see their players

remember that and come out fired up. Starr's Mill didn't have

a great season last year. In fact, it was the first time since the school

opened that the football team had been kept out of the playoffs. Both

teams will have a big test in the opening week of the season. McIntosh

will host Douglas County, while Starr's Mill will take on Walton

in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic at the Georgia Dome (Saturday, Aug.

21, 11:45 a.m.).

Sandy Creek will host Fayette County in a jamboree that has become an

annual event. The two teams have never met when it counted but the game

serves as a good litmus test and provides bragging rights for the winner.

Sandy Creek had an awesome regular season last year but has graduated

many players from last year's squad. They should still be a contender

for a region title but the competition will be fierce. Fayette County

had a bad season last year but is looking to make a big rebound. The

Patriots will host Villa Rica in the season opener, while Fayette County

starts the season on the road at Upson Lee.

Our Lady of Mercy will take on Blessed Trinity on the road tomorrow

night at 7 p.m. and will open the season with a home game against Pacelli

next Friday. Landmark Christian starts the season at home against Twiggs

County.

All football games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise

noted.