The first Central Georgia kickoff of the season - go ahead, give thanks - is Thursday; who's playing who where?
Thursday
Jones County vs. Howard, Ed DeFore
Paul Carroll’s debut as Howard’s head coach comes against Class 5A playoff team with a number of college prospects.
Friday
ACE at Treutlen
It’s the first varsity game in ACE’s history.
Bleckley County at Hawkinsville
The neighbors have split the last four meetings, with the home team winning.
Dodge County at Bradwell Institute
The Indians are taking a big bite, visiting a Class 6A team that went 6-4 last year.
ECI at Dublin
Class A ECI went 11-2 last year, and is 0-7 against the Irish.
Gainesville at Mary Persons
Class 6A Gainesville has a new coaching staff, and the Bulldogs have a veteran team and staff.
GMC at Glascock County
They’re in the same region, but Glascock County isn’t playing a region schedule as GMC resumes region play.
Lamar County at Mt. Zion
On the road against a Class A semifinalist is a tough opener for the Trojans off a 1-9 season.
Macon County at Pelham
One of the state’s top Class A matchups, with a pair of 9-3 teams.
Manchester at Taylor County
The rebuilding Vikings open with a quarterfinalist team ranked No. 1 much of last year.
Monticello at Mount de Sales
The Hurricanes are under new head coach Rydell Jackson. The Cavs have won two straight openers.
North Oconee at Putnam County
The War Eagles and new head coach Shaun Pope face a 4A team that went 1-9.
Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg at Northeast (location change)
Trinity Christian is making the jump from GISA to GHSA, and Jeremy Wiggins is making the jump to Northeast’s head coach.
Northside at Centennial
A pair of 8-4 teams from 2017 meet for the first time.
Perry at Houston County, Freedom
They’ve only played six times, and not since 2011, and it’s 3-3.
Southwest at Westside, Ed DeFore
After beating Bibb County teams for so long, Westside is on a two-game losing streak to the Patriots.
Tattnall at Our Lady of Mercy
It’s the first meeting of teams that lost in the first round of the Class A playoffs
Tift County at Warner Robins, M-T
Burly, burly opener with a 7A team that went 11-2 coming to town.
Twiggs County at Toombs County
New head coach Kelvin Blackshear’s debut is on the road against a Class AA team that went 10-2.
Veterans at Upson-Lee
Veterans breaks in a new head coach and faces a UGA defensive line commitment.
Washington County at Baldwin
The Golden Hawks and Braves will have the heart rates going pretty good before kickoff.
West Laurens at East Laurens
They haven’t played since 2011, and East Laurens hasn’t won since 2004.
GISA/OTHER
Notre Dame at Brentwood
CFCA at Lafayette Christian
Aug. 23
Hawkinsville at Rutland, Ed DeFore
Central at Houston County, Freedom
East Laurens at Johnson County
Aug. 24
ACE at Notre Dame
Bleckley County at Veterans, Freedom
Baldwin at Jones County
Crisp County at West Laurens
Dooly County at Worth County
FPD at Howard, Ed DeFore
Greenville at Lamar County
Hancock Central at Toombs County
Jefferson County at Washington County
Mary Persons at Jackson
Mount de Sales at Landmark Christian
Oglethorpe County at GMC
Pacelli at Crawford County
Perry at Northeast, Thompson
Stratford at Sav. Country Day
Temple at Putnam County
Upson-Lee at East Paulding
Warner Robins at Locust Grove
Westside at Harris County
Wilcox County at Wilkinson County
Brentwood at Trinity Christian
John Milledge at Gatewood
Monsignor Donovan at Piedmont
Westfield at Deerfield-Windsor
Holy Ground at CFCA
Central Christian at Covenant
Westwood at Fullington
Thomas Jefferson at John Hancock
Aug 25
Peach County vs. Northside, Five Star/Mercer
Tattnall vs. Dublin, Five Star/Mercer