Closer look at Friday night's games
SHAW VS. LUELLA
Where: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Shaw 0-0 (4-6 last season). Luella 0-0 (5-5 last season).
Series: Luella leads 1-0, a 40-21 victory last season.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: This game was originally scheduled for Kinnett Stadium, but the MCSD wanted to give the company laying down the new artificial turf an extra week. Shaw is heading into its first season under Chuck Stamey. He takes over for Kyle Adkins, who left after three seasons and a 14-17 record. The Raiders are led by quarterback B.J. Knight and Ledger-Enquirer Dandy Dozen selection Austin Hester, an offensive lineman. Luella is 19-32 in five seasons under Nick Vasilchek. The Lions have won five games each of the last two seasons.
YOUNG AMERICAN AT CALVARY CHRISTIAN
Where: Len McWilliams Field
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Young American 0-0, 0-0 GICAA Region I-AA (last season's record not available). Calvary Christian 0-0, 0-0 (9-3 last season).
Series: Tied 1-1 with Calvary Christian winning 41-27 in 2013.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: Calvary Christian plays its first true home game Friday night when the Knights host Young American after four seasons of playing at Britt David Park. Calvary Christian advanced to the GICAA state championship game, which ended in a loss to Sherwood.
KENDRICK AT STEWART COUNTY
Where: Lumpkin, Ga.
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Kendrick 0-0 (5-5 last season). Stewart County 0-0 (0-10 last season).
Series: Kendrick leads 1-0 with a 35-6 victory at Memorial Stadium last season.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: Cedric Ware takes over for the departed Jerry Dukes as head coach at Kendrick. Dukes turned around the Kendrick program in his seven seasons, going 22-51. After winning just five games in his first four seasons, Dukes went 17-16 in the last three. Freshman Swann Tarver is set to start at QB for the Cherokees, who will rely heavily on running backs Rickey Owens and Walter Boze. The Knights have lost 20 straight, all 10 last year and the season before. Their last win was a 12-6 victory over Calhoun County to close out a 1-9 season in 2012.
BROOKSTONE AT MT. PISGAH
Where: John's Creek, Ga.
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Brookstone 0-0 (4-6 last season). Mount Pisgah 0-0 (8-4 last season).
Series: Brookstone leads 1-0 with a 42-34 victory at Memorial Stadium last season.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: Scott Pethtel takes over as head coach at Brookstone from Brad Dehem, who went 18-14 in three seasons. The Cougars went 4-6 last season, their first losing season since 2003. The Cougars will be led by running backs Sam Ndem and Prather Hudson. The two teams opened the season last year on a brutally hot Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. Mount Pisgah is ranked No. 1 in the preseason GSWA poll. The Patriots lost to Calvary Day in the state quarterfinals last season.
SMITHS STATION AT AMERICUS-SUMTER
Where: Finklea-Robinson Stadium, Americus, Ga.
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Smiths Station 0-0 (5-5 last season). Americus-Sumter 0-0 (3-7 last season).
Series: Smiths Station leads 1-0 with a 38-13 victory at Smiths Station last season.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: The Jason Dukes eras got off to a strong start last season, going 5-1 before four straight losses to end the year. Smiths Station is led by Vada King, a linebacker who made the Ledger-Enquirer Dandy Dozen. Erik Soliday takes over for Dexter Dawson at Americus-Sumter. Dawson went 3-7 in his one season. Americus-Sumter is on its fifth coach in the past five years. Since Americus and Sumter County high schools merged in 2003, the Panthers have gone 43-73.
CENTRAL AT STOCKBRIDGE
Where: Tiger Stadium, Stockbridge, Ga.
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Central 0-0 (10-2 last season). Stockbridge 0-0 (11-3 last season).
Series: Central leads 1-0 with a 30-21 victory at Garrett-Harrison Stadium last season.
Last week: Season-opener for both teams.
You need to know: The Jamey DuBose era started with seven straight wins. The Red Devils won the Class 7A Region 2 title and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, where they lost to Prattville. The Central roster is loaded with talent, including four who made the Ledger-Enquirer Dandy Dozen: linebacker Markail Benton, cornerback John Broussard, wide receiver Jamal Couch and cornerback Karon Delince. Stockbridge made it to the Class AAAAA state semifinals last season, losing 30-15 to Mays. Kevin Whitley has led Stockbridge to 11 wins in each of the past three seasons. The Tigers are led by quarterback Malachi Brown, who passed for 1,406 yards last season.
-- Kevin Price
This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Closer look at Friday night's games ."