Three schools start play at home

Football season begins Friday for Columbia County's four public school teams. Three of the schools will kick off the season at home.

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"We're definitely going to be ready when the time comes," Evans senior quarterback Kevin Millward said. "It's an exciting time."

Millward and the Knights are the only Columbia County team playing on the road this week, but the trip won't be too far for most Evans fans. They're traveling to Harlem once again to open the season against the Bulldogs.

Harlem coach Jimmie Lewis said his boys will be ready to play. Lewis saw 18 seniors graduate from last year's team while Evans returned most of their starters. In his 16th year as head coach at Harlem, Lewis already has accepted the underdog role.

"I know we're young, and we might not have the kind of depth we need, but we're still excited about the season," he said.

"This crowd might go out there and play some good football and win some games they're not supposed to. ... After 31 years of being an underdog you kind of get used to it."

Lakeside and Greenbrier also will hit their home fields Friday night. The Panthers will play host to Aquinas while Westside will travel to Greenbrier.

The Lakeside season-opener also will be the first game with head coach Jody Grooms calling the shots. Greenbrier's Scott Chadwick returns for his second season as the Wolfpack head coach.

All games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.