KOSCIUSKO — McAdams head football coach Ras Bayles will be traveling into the great unknown on Friday night in more ways than one.

When his Bulldogs pay a visit to Thomastown High School at 7:30 p.m. to open the 2010 season it will be a time of discovery.

"We're still trying to figure some things out about ourselves," Bayles said. "We are trying to make some improvements and changes after (our scrimmage) with French Camp. We have changed some people around. We have a real good practice on Monday and guys were a lot more enthusiastic."

One thing he said the Bulldogs did was imply it's defense.

"We just wanted to make sure we knew what we were doing and were on the same page," he said. "On offense we were very explosive."

Bayles said he isn't sure what to expect out of Thomastown.

"I know they are going to have some athletes out, they always do," he said.



S.V. Marshall at Durant

The first edition of the Sleepy Robinson-led Durant High School Tigers will be unveiled at 7:30 p.m. Friday when S.V. Marshall of Tchula pays a visit.

"We are hoping for big things," Robinson said. "There are a lot of expectations this year, but that's good. We are ready to handle them."

Durant, which lost a 27-26 overtime decision to Mount Olive in the MHSAA Class 1A State Championship game last December is ranked preseason No. 1 in Class 1A in the state by both the Mississippi Prep Sports Source and the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

William Robinson Jr., the coach's son, will be the quarterback for the Tigers, while Cortez Frizell, who rushed for 2,336 yards last season, returns to power the offense.



Weir at Hamilton

It's been Miller time for quite awhile at Weir High School, but if the Lions are to be a serious contender for the Region 3-1A title and a deep run into the MHSAA Playoffs this season, second-year head coach Danya Turner will have to look elsewhere.

Cramer Miller — last year's workhorse running back, — and Jay Miller — a four-year starter at quarterback — have graduated, turning over the bulk of the offensive attack to a trio of Woodards.

"We will be a running back by committee," Turner said. Most of that committee will be made up of a trio of Woodards — Jimmarian, Zack and Keith. While Zack and Keith are both seniors, Jimmarian has seen the most playing time, despite being a junior. The other running back in the mix to get significant carries is sophomore Christian Wraggs.

The Lions, ranked No. 10 in the state in Class 1A by the Mississippi Prep Sports Source, opens the season on the road against Hamilton on Friday night. Weir then returns home to host Eupora, ranked No. 9 in 2A, on Thursday, Aug. 26.



Starkville Academy at Ackerman

The Ackerman High School football team entered into unchartered waters last season when it opened the season on the road against Starkville Academy.

It was the first time the Indians had ever played a football game against an MAIS (Mississippi Association of Independent Schools) team. The Indians responded with a lop-sided 55-2 win and went on to win 15 consecutive games before falling to Bassfield 27-13 in the MHSAA Class 2A State Championship Game.

The indians open the season once again against the SA Volunteers, but this time it will be in Ackerman. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. this Thursday.

While some of the stars off last year's 15-1 squad are gone, AHS head coach Adam Dillinger says his Indians will still be competitive.



Sharkey-Iss.  at Central Holmes

The Central Holmes Christian School Trojans hope to unveil its new running attack against the visiting Confederates on Friday night.

Among the changes for CHCS this season will be the departure of longtime quarterback Jay Murtagh, Senior wide receiver Hunter Blain has made the move under center for the Trojans.

Central Holmes went 6-6 last season and reached the first round of the MAIS Class A Playoffs, while Sharkey-Issaquena was 2-8.



South Delta at J.J. McClain

The game features a pair of teams who are hoping to make a little noise in their respective classifications.

McClain went 4-8 in 2009, but returns all but one starter from that team and is ranked preseason No. 14 in MHSAA Class 4A by the Mississippi Prep Sports Source.



Winona Christian at Carroll

The Winona Christian Stars will miss the power running of Shawn Pee, who now plays for Holmes Community College, but have been putting together a balanced offense that can be explosive.

The Stars finished last year 8-3 and went undefeated in MAIS District 3-A play, before falling to DeSoto (Ark.) 14-6 in the second round of the playoffs. Winona defeated Humphreys Academy 14-0 in the opening round.

Carroll Academy was 2-8 last season.