Jeff Hart

Former Gainesville High standout Blake Sims is starting at quarterback for No. 2 Alabama against West Virginia.

Jacoby Brissett threw for 291 yards and three second-half touchdowns to help North Carolina State beat Georgia Southern 24-23 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

As far as season-openers go, Friday night

Devin Watson connected with Rex Purgason on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 1:30 left in the game to complete a fourth quarter comeback and lead East Hall to a 20-13 win over Wesleyan Friday night in its season-opener.

Sammy Williams and Colby Wood combined for 400 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead Jefferson to a 41-7 victory over Winder-Barrow Friday night.

Riverside Military Academy opened its season with a 20-10 victory over Fellowship Christian Friday night.

Stephens County scored the final 34 points to erase an early deficit en route to a 34-7 win over Franklin County Friday night in both teams

Rabun County held Habersham Central scoreless in the second half and rallied for a 23-14 win at home Friday night.

JustinUpton homered and had three RBIs, Jason Heyward drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Friday night for their third straight win.

After getting a tasty appetizer last week to open the high school football season, the main course has finally arrived as virtually every team in northeast Georgia will be in action Friday.