Call Friday night’s games what you wish, scrimmages, jamborees, practice games, it’s still football and the excitement around many of the local schools is palpable. The regular season gets underway next week but these games will serve as introduction to the 2006 teams and an indicator on what a team’s strengths are and what they have to work on.

• Starr’s Mill @ Sandy Creek, 7 p.m.

This is probably the best of the scrimmages tonight. As far as this reporter can remember, these two teams have never met. While this will be a chance for the team’s to get used to game-type situations, the “local rivalry” aspect should add some intensity to the game. Both teams have some very talented players and both teams graduated a lot of talented players from last year’s squads and are hoping to see people step up and show they are ready to play.

Next week: Sandy Creek vs. McIntosh, 7:30 p.m., Starr’s Mill vs. Cherokee at the Georgia Dome, 9/2, 11:45 a.m.

• Landmark Christian vs. Cross Keys, 7:30 p.m.

The War Eagles had a disappointing end to their season last year and they can start to erase that memory with this game. Though some of their key players have moved on, Landmark returns a number of big time movers and shakers on both sides of the ball. In the past five years, Cross Keys hasn’t put together a winning season, but the Indians will definitely be looking to start the season off on the right foot. A competitive game with a perennial state playoff team will go a long way towards building their confidence.

Next week: Landmark @ Ringgold, 7:30 p.m.

• McIntosh @ Osborne, 7:30 p.m.

The Chiefs will make the trip to Marietta tonight to take on the Osborne Cardinals. Judging by their 8-42 record over the last five years, the Cardinals don’t appear to be a team that is head and shoulders above McIntosh. The Chiefs will be playing in a game situation for the first time under new head coach Dwight Jones. McIntosh has 15 seniors who would like to help establish a tradition of winning at the school. They won’t have an easy schedule this year but are starting to put what they’ve learned in practice into their play starts tonight.

Next week: McIntosh @ Sandy Creek, 7:30 p.m.

• Our Lady of Mercy vs. Holy Innocents, 7:30 p.m.

The Bobcats will play their first game under new head coach Bryan Pinabell, the former defensive coordinator for St. Pius High School. The numbers are up for Our Lady of Mercy, but there is little doubt that this is a season for Pinabell to lay the ground work and establish a tradition of winning at the school. The work begins tonight with a Holy Innocents team playing their first region schedule.

Next week: Our Lady of Mercy at Creekview, 7:30 p.m.

• Whitewater vs. Heritage High School, 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcats are loaded with experienced players. This is their first year with a senior class and their first year with a region schedule. The team went undefeated last year with a non-region schedule and is eager to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with this season. The Patriots will be a good test for Whitewater. They have had a winning season every season since 2002 and have made the state playoffs several times in that span.

Next game: Whitewater @ Newnan, 7:30 p.m.

• Fayette County played at Stockbridge Thursday night and will open the season next Friday with a home game against Mt. Zion, Jonesboro at 7:30 p.m.

• Be sure to pick up a copy of next Wednesday’s edition of The Citizen which will feature the 2006 football preview. There will be photos from practices and scrimmages, team previews, schedules and more.