Friday Game Night

High school football fans take heed: Your Friday night games will look a little different in 2017. In fact, coaches, players and referees have already begun adapting to changes in the way the game has been taught and played for decades.

There’s a potential crisis gripping football fields throughout the state. Fans may not notice it on first inspection but a closer look reveals a front-and-center issue that threatens to change the landscape of the game itself, especially at the high school level.

The high school football season takes a big step toward reality this week when most of the area's programs engage in preseason scrimmages -- the closest thing to a real game -- with just days remaining until the 2017 campaign kicks off in earnest on Aug. 18.

What is it that makes Fridays so special?

Pads are already popping on practice fields across northeast Georgia, and the final preparations are under way. High school football is so close, you can just about it touch it.

The Bulldoggs are in the middle of one of their best runs as a program with three straight playoff appearances. However, they will have several key areas to fill on both sides of the ball from graduation in a rugged Region 8-AAAAAA...

The Warriors experienced a change at the head coaching position this offseason, as Bill Ballard stepped aside following six seasons and three state playoff appearances.

West Hall coach Tony Lotti has constantly told everyone they have been building for the long-haul. The future met the present in 2016 for the Spartans with their first-ever road playoff win against Troup County...

The Panthers are on a run of unprecedented success at the moment, with a four-year record of 32-12 and four straight state playoff appearances for the best such span in program history

It has always been a tough place to win in Hiawassee with just one winning season in the program’s history. But second-year coach John Cornett is not buying into that notion as he prepares the Indians for the 2017 campaign...