For anxious fans, like parched wanderers straggling out of the desert, the high school football season looms like an oasis on the horizon.
The season starts for real this weekend in week zero, a sort of appetizer before nearly everyone else in northeast Georgia gets underway in week 1 (Aug. 28).
And while every game presents a feast unto itself there are a few ripe plums on the schedule that promise the juciest match-ups -- the games that we looked at back in the spring and went "ah!"
Of course there are always region showdowns that will feature on the yearly calendar, but, this season in particular, there are number of hugely-compelling non-region contests that will get the season started with a bang. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the most intriguing early season games on the 2015 schedule:
(Games listed in order of week played -- all kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
FRIDAY
- Eastern Christian Academy, Md. at Buford -- The visitors, who make road trips like this a habit, have 18 former players currently competing in the collegiate ranks. They will be battling a team that put 15 players on college teams after last season. In other words, it is a game that will have plenty of attention attached -- and probably a fair few collegiate scouts watching from the sidelines.
- Jefferson at Rabun County -- Rabun County has perhaps its largest senior class ever, which includes University of Georgia commit and do-everything athlete Charlie Woerner. Jefferson, meanwhile, has its fair share of college propsects, mostly along the line of scrimmage. Both teams have gotten used to winning, and this contest could be between two teams set for big seasons (and postseasons).
- Lambert at Lanier -- Despite graduating 36 seniors (yes, 36), Lanier is loaded for bear this season in Class AAAAA, including perhaps the top collegiate prospect in the state in defensive lineman Derrick Brown. Lambert is a young program but an already-established consistent winner in Class AAAAAA.
SATURDAY
- Mill Creek vs. Brookwood (Georgia Dome) 11:45 a.m. -- The Hawks get to take on a Gwinnett foe at a neutral venue, and plenty of eyes will be on Brookwood, which is under a new head coach for the first time in 13 years (former Banks County coach Philip Jones). Mill Creek, meanwhile, could feature one of the best defenses in Class AAAAAA. (Part of the Kell Classic)
- North Gwinnett vs. Colquitt County (Georgia Dome), 5:45 p.m. -- The Bulldogs have much to replace this season, and this is not the team you want to face while doing that, but Bob Sphire's squads are always impressive, and you can bet the Packers, no matter how loaded they may be, and they are a preseason No. 1, will be wary. (Part of the Kell Classic)
AUG. 28
- Chestatee at Flowery Branch -- Fans of both teams are aching for a rebound after both squads suffered through disappointing campaigns in 2014 and both appear set for resurgent 2015 campaigns. As the two newest Hall County schools, created in the same year, the two old rivals share a bond. But make no mistake, each knows how big a win would be in this season opener.
- Commerce at Banks County -- The Tigers have absolutely OWNED this series, with a 27-2 record against the Leopards. Yet there are plenty of people intrigued about what Banks County has coming back this season in coach Biff Parson's third season. Commerce, meanwhile, has plenty of talent of its own on offense but will be breaking in several new defenders. As this is a season-opener, there could be plenty of fireworks between the two the neighbors.
- Grayson at Gainesville -- As loaded as Grayson was last season, the Rams are supposedly even more laiden with talent on 2015 with as many as 10 major collegiate prospects. Yet the Red Elephants won't be intimidated and should have a deeper squad to do battle with this campaign. After showing that they are still a force to be reckoned with last season, Gainesville could gain a lot of momentum if it plays well against a team that one poll has listed as the No. 3 sqaud in Class AAAAAA.
SEPT. 4
- Buford at McEachern -- This may well be THE most anticipated match-up for an area squad this season. Buford won a thriller last season, 27-20 at home. A number of standouts from that team are gone (15 signed collegiate Letters of Intent), but the Wolves are looking to reload and are undoubtedly looking forward to the challenge. McEachern, meawhile, features defensive tackle Julian Rochester (a University of Georgia commit), quarterback Bailey Hockman (Georgia commit), receiver Tyler Smith and nearly a dozen other collegiate prospects.
- Lumpkin County at Union County -- Call it a showdown between the quarterbacks (though that would be selling this game short), as Lumpkin's powerful Zach Matthews (1,463 yards rushing in 2014) and Union's gunslinger Joseph Mancuso (3,078 yards passing, 35 touchdowns in 2014) duke it out in the mountains. Both teams are also looking for a return to the playoffs and feature plenty of talent.
- Stephens County at Elbert County -- Elbert County features a bevvy of talented athletes, including top prospect Mecole Hardman, while Stephens County will lean on a bruising line of scrimmage anchored by Georgia commit Ben Cleveland. Both teams are coming off playoff runs from a season ago -- Stephens in Class AAAA and Elbert in Class AAA.
SEPT. 11
- Jefferson at Commerce -- One of the most intense rivalries in northeast Georgia, the Dragons and Tigers have played 69 times, and while Commerce owns a 42-22-5 series lead, Jefferson has won seven of the last eight. Both teams are expected to be heavyweights in their respective classifications this season (the Dragons are coming off a Class AAA quarterfinal appearance, the Tigers a Class A public semifinal appearance). Both teams also have elite-level players. In other words this one has it all.
