Friday night’s match-ups:

East Coweta Indians @ Buford Wolves, 7:30 p.m.
East Coweta is coming off a 7-5 season. They made the state playoffs last year but lost in the second round to Stephenson. They have 13 seniors on the team this year, all expected to lead their teammates and show them what Indian football is all about and the 26 juniors, who will gain a lot of experience this season, are eager to learn.

Senior Doug Saylor will be the team’s starting quarterback and he has several weapons to choose from, including junior running back Tim McGill and senior receiver Rod Marrs and it will take a solid offensive performance to get by the Wolves.

The Wolves went 12-1 last season, losing in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs. They have 17 seniors on this year’s squad, all of them used to winning games. While the offense is missing some key components, their defense is being hailed as one of the best in school history.

Next week: East Coweta @ McIntosh, 7:30 p.m.

Fayette County Tigers vs. Mt. Zion, Jonesboro Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers haven’t had a winning record since 2001 but they have high hopes for this season. They have dropped down from Class AAAAA to Class AAAA, they return some key players on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Brandon Boykin who broke his leg halfway through last season, and they have a great desire to show they are better than their recent records.

The Bulldogs went 4-6 last year and have 20 seniors on their team this year that would like to go out with a winning record. Although they can’t afford to take any team lightly, the Bulldog’s schedule gets really heavy after the opening week with games against Upson-Lee, Lovejoy, East Coweta, Riverdale and Griffin all in a row.

Expect each team to score some points and the winner being the team that can force a turnover or two, especially late in the ballgame.

Next week: Fayette County vs. Jonesboro, 7:30 p.m.

Landmark Christian War Eagles @ Ringgold Tigers, 7:30 p.m.

The War Eagles made the state playoffs last year but lost in the first round to Temple. The team finished the season with a 7-4 record and a bad taste in their mouth. That may not bode well for a Tiger team coming off of a 1-9 season. Landmark still has quarterback Matt Moody and one of his favorite targets in Jimmy Eden and they still have Trey Strickland who gains yards on offense and takes them away on defense. While the War Eagles graduated several big play guys from their linebacking corps last year, it appears that their new crop is eager to show that they can perform just as well.

Ringgold is 22-29 over their last 51 games, which includes two winning seasons out of the last five. They are a Class AAAA team and they are likely to be big and fast. One area the Tigers needed to improve on from last year was their defense and if they can slow down Landmark and keep the game close, those late game demons from last year’s playoff game may get inside the War Eagle’s heads.

Next game: Landmark Christian @ Ola, 8 p.m.

McIntosh Chiefs @ Sandy Creek Patriots, 7:30 p.m.

The Chiefs haven’t defeated Sandy Creek before. Before they came to Class AAAA, McIntosh never had to face the Patriots in the regular season and since the move in 2004 they have lost 33-3 and 28-8. While some of the faces on both teams are the same, both teams have undergone a bit of an overhaul. It is fair to say that this won’t be your typical McIntosh or Sandy Creek team tonight, although whether the results will be any different remains to be seen. McIntosh has 13 seniors, all eager to go out as winners, and the team’s underclassmen are hoping to establish themselves as well. Players to watch are Brett Buehler, Jeff Betts, Lance Huynh and Tom Wiegele among others.

Sandy Creek has the edge on experience. They have made the state playoffs the last four years, meaning no one on their team knows any different, and they have key players back on both offense and defense, including quarterback Jake Turing, receiver Tim Russell, defensive lineman Rickey Nicholson and defensive end Fred Jones.

Next week: McIntosh vs. East Coweta and Sandy Creek @ Whitewater

Northgate Vikings vs. Central, Carroll Lions, 7:30 p.m.

The Vikings went 5-5 last year and just missed making the state playoffs. They are led by senior quarterback Andre Morris, who has plenty of weapons to choose from, including junior tailback Derrick Brisbane. There are 15 seniors on the team and all of them would like to have a winning record and a return to the state playoffs. The team also has a good special teams unit led by kicker Steven Lambert.

Central, Caroll is coming off of a 7-5 season that saw them make the second round of the AAA playoffs. The Lions return Justin Harrision, their leading rusher from last season, and also have Lavante Page to run the ball. Senior Kyle Padgett will play at quarterback and will be backed up by Seth White.

Next week: Northgate - Bye

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats @ Creekview Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m.

The Bobcats have never had a winning season and though they have made the state playoffs before, it was never with a winning record. New head coach Bryan Pinabell is hoping to have the Bobcats establish a tradition of winning at the school and he would like it to start tonight. The Bobcats have some experience but not at quarterback. Sophomore William Pearl will take the snaps and he has several options when he does. He could hand off to running back Jarrell Bankhead or throw to one of several receivers including Brett Thomas, Jonathan Moh or David Goemaere. The defense is led by seniors Thomas, Ryan Bowman, Matt Forbes and Logan Marshall.

Not much is known about Creekview. This is their first year of playing varsity football and the team is made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores. They went 5-4-1 last year and this will be their first home game in school history. It would be a mistake for Our Lady of Mercy to overlook this team and their emotions as they play in front of their fans for the first time in their new stadium.

Next week: Our Lady of Mercy - Bye

Whitewater Wildcats @ Newnan Cougars, 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcats played a non-region schedule last year and went undefeated against some tough teams. The team has their first senior class this season and has played together for four years. They are experienced and they have a lot of depth but they also have a tough schedule. Quarterback Jay Bright, running back Tavoris Dixon and fullback Kurdice Neal will be among the leaders on offense, while Jonah Jaurigue and Jonathan Ashley are just two of the key players on defense.

Newnan went 4-7 in 2005. They have 24 seniors, all of whom still remember two straight seasons in the state playoffs (2003, 2004)and would like to return there in their final season. The team is led by senior quarterback Thomas Darrah, who has some big targets in senior receiver Quamorris Dixon and tight end Russell Rohman. On the defense watch for senior linebackers Antwan Herring and Shea Hammond.

Next week: Whitewater vs. Sandy Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s game:

Starr’s Mill Panthers vs. Cherokee Warriors, 11:45 a.m., Georgia Dome

The Panthers once again start the season in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic. They are coming off a terrific season that saw them win a region title and make the state quarterfinals. The team returns quarterback Robby Davis and running backs Greg Davis and Brandon Witta and also has experience back on the defense, especially in the secondary, with cornerbacks Keenan Penson, Branden Lewis and Drew Morrison.

Cherokee was 1-9 last year and 9-4 the year before. They were also quarterfinalists in 2003 and region champs in 2002. The Panthers can expect a hard-fought game from the Warriors who would love to get back to their winning ways. A win over a quarterfinalist from last year in the Georgia Dome would be a perfect way to make a statement.

Next week: Starr’s Mill vs. Rockdale County

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