Excitement is building for prep football season

I realize we are in the midst of the baseball playoffs and we still have the entire summer to get through, but it is never too early to talk football.

The 2005 high school football schedules have been released by the Georgia High School Association, and there are some great match-ups to look forward to.

For example, on Oct. 7, Evans makes its first trip back to Effingham County since the infamous "headset incident" 18 years ago. The Knights played Effingham County last season, but that game was at Evans.

Also, Lakeside and Greenbrier will square off Sept. 23. I would prefer to see this game near the end of the schedule, but week five is a lot better than week two.

For a pair of rivals to play that early in the season does not make sense to me.

For Greenbrier, however, that Lakeside match-up is preceded by a road game with Evans. Having to play two of their most emotionally charged games in back-to-back weeks is asking an awful lot of the Wolfpack.

I'm also glad to see Harlem facing off with Evans again this season. For many years these two teams were big rivals, and despite the size difference between the schools I've always felt like these two should play every year.

It will be an interesting year because each team has so many question marks entering the summer. Evans must replace three-year starter Brad Freeman at quarterback and it looks like rising sophomore Kevin Millward is the leading candidate. Greenbrier loses Liberty signee Eugene Rogers, Harlem must replace all-around standout Jeremy Larson and Lakeside will have to fill the void left by tough-as-nails quarterback Jimmy Johnson. So it looks like we should be in for a fun year.

Evans Knights

8/19 Harlem

8/26 at Jefferson County

9/02 Laney

9/16 Greenbrier

9/23 at Jones County

9/30 Statesboro

10/7 at Effingham County

10/14 at Lakeside

10/21 Baldwin

10/28 at Wayne County

Greenbrier Wolfpack

8/26 at Morgan County

9/02 Westside

9/09 Lincoln County

9/16 at Evans

9/23 Lakeside

9/30 at Wayne County

10/07 Baldwin

10/14 Effingham County

10/21 at Jones County

10/28 at Statesboro

Harlem Bulldogs

8/19 at Evans

8/26 Hancock Central

9/02 Jefferson County

9/09 at Richmond Hill

9/16 at Richmond Academy

9/23 Thomson

9/30 at Glenn Hills

10/7 Butler

10/14 at Cross Creek

10/28 Hephzibah

Lakeside Panthers

8/19 Washington-Wilkes

8/26 at Westside

9/02 Effingham County

9/09 at Jefferson County

9/23 at Greenbrier

9/30 Jones County

10/7 at Statesboro

10/14 Evans

10/22 at Wayne County

10/28 at Baldwin

Augusta Christian

8/19 Colleton Prep

8/26 Richard Winn

9/02 at Calhoun Academy

9/09 at Orangeburg Prep

9/23 at Heathwood Hall

9/30 Porter Gaud

10/07 Cardinal Newman

10/14 at Ben Lippen

10/21 Hammond

10/28 at Robert E. Lee