All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m. EDT except where noted.
RIVERDALE WARRIORS at OOLTEWAH OWLS, 8 p.m.
Storyline: Insiders say Riverdale will wind up atop the Middle Tennessee football heap. For now, the Warriors are ranked fourth in the 6A preseason poll, a notch ahead of Ravenwood and a notch behind Oakland. The ranking is based on the arrival of transfer QB Brandon Bea (from Vancover, Wash.) and the continued presence of WR Marquise Cantrell (815 receiving yards in 2014), RB Austin Bryant (742 yards) and LB Canaan Owens, the team's leading returning tackler. The Owls are in the semblance of a rebuilding mode, with a pass-happy QB, two top-flight receivers and a quality RB having graduated. However, they have a semi-experienced QB in senior London Elrod, a fleet RB in Rashun Freeman and a salty and experienced defense keyed by DL Nick Putman and LBs Jeremiah Jackson and Tyler Reid.
EAST HAMILTON HURRICANES at SIGNAL MOUNTAIN EAGLES, 7 p.m.
Storyline: The Eagles lead the series between Hamilton County's newest high schools, which developed into a spirited rivalry with ex-Red Bank athletes Ted Gatewood (East Hamilton) and Bill Price (Signal Mountain) heading the programs. The last time they played on the mountain resulted in a 14-12 Hurricanes win, although Signal won 28-19 last year. That game was monumental for East Hamilton, which lost starting quarterback Zach Woods for the season because of a knee injury. The Hurricanes, who have returned to power football, more in Gatewood's style, finished with a 2-8 record last season. Ty Wise makes his debut as Price's successor with a small squad numbering 25-30.
BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS at WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS
Storyline: Though several of the games over the past nine years have been close, it wasn't until last season that Walker Valley notched a victory over the Bears, winning 17-13. That helped push the Mustangs into their second postseason appearance in the three-year era of coach Glen Ryan. Their pass defense will be tested by Bears QB Cole Copeland, but the Bears will be without coach Damon Floyd, who is serving the first game of a two-game suspension imposed by the TSSAA. Bradley's acting head coach will be offensive coordinator Keith Freeman.
EAST RIDGE PIONEERS at POLK COUNTY WILDCATS
Storyline: Freshmen abound for Polk, which is trying to shake off the debilitation of a winless 2014, and several of them will at least man backup roles against the Pioneers, who also struggled through a disappointing season, finishing 3-7. East Ridge, however, has a plethora of skill players, including RBs Dominique Millener and Dquantis Jones and WRs Quasey Vinson and Jesse Jones. East Ridge won 31-20 last year, when the Pioneers were led by experienced senior QB JoJo Tillery.
HOWARD HUSTLIN' TIGERS at DONELSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WILDCATS, 8
Storyline: The catchphrase on South Market Street is simply "It's a new day." The Hustlin' Tigers were winless last year but looked more efficient, especially on offense, at last weekend's jamboree. But they're facing a tough opponent in DCA, a Division II-A power that went 9-3 last season. The Tigers, featuring a run-oriented, clock-eating offense, will depend heavily on junior QB Vincent Bowling and RBs Quatarrius Porter and Niejel Billingsley. This is the first time the Tigers have played DCA.
MEIGS COUNTY TIGERS at SWEETWATER WILDCATS
Storyline: Since the teams resumed playing in 2009, Sweetwater has held the upper hand, including a 28-14 win in the 2014 season opener. The closest they have come to beating the Wildcats was a 14-12 loss in 2009. In Jason Fitzgerald's first year as their coach last season, the Tigers opened with losses to Sweetwater and Greenback and rallied with wins in six of their final eight games. It was enough to get Meigs in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
SEVIER COUNTY SMOKY BEARS at CLEVELAND BLUE RAIDERS
Storyline: It's the long-anticipated Cleveland debut for coach Scott Cummings, whose full intent this year is to revive the running game along Raider Drive. Sevier County, among playoff teams a year ago, received votes in The Associated Press preseason poll. Cleveland will have offensive hopes pinned on youngsters - sophomore RBs Romeo Wykle and Keegan Jones - and first-year QB Jashawn Hill. It's likely that freshmen will be contributing at CB (Micaleous Elder) and on the offensive line (Caleb Flickner). LBs T.J. Constant and Ben Wyrick are expected to be defensive leaders.
McMINN CENTRAL CHARGERS at McMINN COUNTY CHEROKEES
Storyline: The Chargers upended the Cherokees last year for the first time since 1988, and it was a long-celebrated victory in Englewood as well as a win that propelled Central to its best season (10-3) since 1993. Many of those Chargers return, including RBs Jackson Long and Jordan Brooks and QB Jackson Guy. The Cherokees, who likely will be primed for this one, have not lost openers in back-to-back seasons in more than four decades.
COALFIELD YELLOW JACKETS at COPPER BASIN COUGARS
Storyline: This should serve as a great early measuring stick for both teams to determine how they measure up, considering they're coming off deep playoff runs. The Yellow Jackets held on for a two-point win to open last season and later reached the Class 1A state title game for the first time in program history; the Cougars made it to the quarterfinals before falling. Coalfield returns 15 starters, including sophomore quarterback Parker McKinney, who already is a college prospect. One key factor could be fatigue, since most of Copper Basin's starters have to play a lot of snaps on both sides of the ball.
GRUNDY COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS at WHITWELL TIGERS, 8
Storyline: It's no secret that Whitwell's offense will try to bulldoze its way down the field with a physical running game. The Tigers led all Tennessee Class 2A teams in rushing last year and return three running backs with more than 1,000 career yards each. That will be a definite test for first-year head coach Casey Tate and his very young Grundy County team that returns just two starters on each side of the ball.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH at CENTRAL PURPLE POUNDERS
Storyline: The Fighting Irish have one of the most experienced and talented teams in the city, with seven offensive starters back from a team that averaged nearly 9 yards per carry last year and scored 40-plus points nine times. Running back Ricky Ballard will get plenty of carries and test an inexperienced Central defense. The Pounders' offense is still a mystery - they're breaking in a quarterback who has never played the position before, and they showed multiple formations in preseason scrimmages.
RICHLAND RAIDERS vs. SALE CREEK PANTHERS, 8 p.m.
At Finley Stadium
Storyline: This could be the game in which Sale Creek breaks through and claims its first win as the program begins its third season. Richland, which won just one game last year and allowed 38-plus points eight times, has only five seniors and fewer than 20 players on the roster. By comparison, the Panthers have 10 starters back on each side of the ball and a roster of more than 40 players for depth, including eight seniors. A win here could be the confidence boost Sale Creek needs to take the next step and claim a couple more this season.
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY INDIANS at SOUTH PITTSBURG PIRATES, 8 p.m.
Storyline: It's the debut for both head coaches. Sort of. Adam Caine is making his head coaching debut, while Vic Grider is back leading his former team after a two-year absence from the game. Both teams are looking to put the memory of last year's disappointment to rest: The Indians lost four straight to end the season and the Pirates finished with six losses, the most in a decade. The Indians' defense has looked stout in preseason scrimmages but will be tested by the Pirates' speed to the corners. Both teams also have lots of young players who must grow up quickly.
TENNESSEE CHRISTIAN PREP HAWKS at BOYD-BUCHANAN BUCCANEERS
Storyline: It's the Hawks' first season of varsity competition, and what a test to begin the program. Boyd-Buchanan is state-ranked and loaded with experienced talent back, which means once the Bucs get a big lead, their younger players will get game experience. With a tough schedule ahead, the only scary part about this game for the Bucs is getting out with no injuries to any key players.
BRAINERD PANTHERS at CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN CHARGERS, 7 p.m.
Storyline: The Panthers have the advantage of more players and better skill-position athletes than Chattanooga Christian. Chargers coach Rob Spence said his players have had a good week of preparation after scrimmaging Tyner last week but will need to neutralize the Panthers' speed. The Panthers will have success if they can fluster Chargers QB Matt Mercer.
CONCORD CHRISTIAN LIONS at GRACE ACADEMY EAGLES
Storyline: Grace Academy is the Lions' first varsity football opponent in school history. Concord coach Troy Fleming, a former University of Tennessee fullback, has about 20 players on his roster this year after the Knoxville team played a junior varsity schedule last year.
RED BANK LIONS at SODDY-DAISY TROJANS
Storyline: Red Bank senior Casey Tate has no need to look over his shoulder. He started several games at quarterback last year before becoming one of four to take a snap. Except for special packages, he'll be the only Lion under center this year. The Trojans will see what new QB Justin Cooke can do against the likes of Tra Stamper.
LOOKOUT VALLEY YELLOW JACKETS at SILVERDALE BAPTIST SEAHAWKS
Storyline: In this battle of schools with small squads, one player can make a difference. During the Sequatchie Valley Jamboree, Silverdale junior Alex Gonzalez displayed his abilities to run and throw as a QB and also showed his skills in the secondary. Does Lookout Valley have a player like him?
SCOTTSBORO WILDCATS at DALTON CATAMOUNTS, 8 p.m.
Storyline: Dalton won this game in a shootout a year ago, and much of the same could be in the offing tonight at Harmon Field. The visitors from Alabama come in with a pair of big-time offensive talents in WR Malik Talley and RB DeKarlos Billingsley, while the Catamounts will counter with WR Zek Cobb and RB Tyler Noland, who is also dangerous out of the backfield. The big test for Dalton will be in the trenches, where four new line starters will make their debuts on offense.
SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD RAIDERS at COAHULLA CREEK COLTS
Storyline: The Raiders hope to build on the momentum created by making the Class AAAA playoffs a year ago. The Colts are coming off an 0-10 campaign. Southeast won 45-0 last year, but significant personnel changes could make things closer. The Raiders will rely on a strong running game featuring Tyler Brown and Devin Fields as new QB Colter Faith settles in to replace the dynamic Will Swantic, who's now at North Murray. The Colts return all 11 offensive starters, led by QB Luke Brock, who will lead a more passing-oriented attack this season.
ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS at RIDGELAND PANTHERS
Storyline: The Wesley Tankersley coaching era officially opens in Rossville against a surprising Adairsville team that won last year's matchup 28-14. The Tigers lost a great deal of their offense but return RB Sidnee Johnson, who had 1,600 yards. Roger Redd takes over at QB and will work behind a line that has one starter back. The defense, though, has plenty of experience, led by LBs Daelan Harris and Dallas Cannon. Ridgeland has a bevy of weapons in the offensive backfield, including senior bowling ball Cadarius Word and FB Chris Henderson.
TRION BULLDOGS at GORDON LEE TROJANS
Storyline: The rivalry - Georgia's longest-running - continues on the turf in Chickamauga and promises to be highly physical tonight. Trion, with 17 starters back, will look to open up the passing game, though that may take a game or two with new QB Jarrett Gill. But he has plenty of talent around him in backs Devonya Farmer, Gabe Howell and Malik Martin. Greg Ellis's Trojans will try to use a size edge inside to control the ball with QB Caleb O'Neal and RB Andrew Towns. Stopping the Bulldogs will be the key for Gordon Lee.
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN WAR EAGLES at CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS
Storyline: One of the top small-school programs in Georgia visits glittering Lions Stadium tonight. The Eagles, who won this matchup 48-13 in Fairburn a year ago, bring a pair of top recruits - tackle Steven Bedosky and RB Lofton Tidwell, a junior who ran for two touchdowns in last year's game. Christian Heritage will look to spread the Eagles' defense out and may play a pair of QBs - seniors Seth Hutchinson and Tyson Cooper. Each will have a slew of playmakers at his disposal in RB Ahmaad Tanner and WRs Nasir Love-Porter and Wesley Hagan.
Saturday
HIXSON WILDCATS at MARION COUNTY WARRIORS, 1 p.m.
Storyline: This game pits a pair of playoff-wise and playoff-hopeful opponents, each with a propensity for the running game offensively and stinginess defensively. Hixson has become one of those rejuvenated teams, winning nine games in 2013 under Jason Fitzgerald and repeating that feat last year with Dan Duff returning to the helm. Over the past three years, the Wildcats have gone 25-11. Marion County, meanwhile, looked invincible in the Sequatchie Valley Jamboree last weekend. The Warriors, 32-7 over the past three seasons, have experience at almost every position but especially at QB and on the offensive line.
NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS at RINGGOLD TIGERS
Storyline: Ringgold won a physical game last year in Tunnel Hill, and both coaches expect the same style of play this time. The Bruins will ride an experienced offensive line to try to control the ball more this year and have a talented group of backs, including Devonte Dunn and 6-1, 220-pound freshman Dominique Sistrunk, to get it done. The key to stopping Ringgold, coach Josh Robinson said, will be getting a pass rush on strong-armed QB Devin Lancaster without having to blitz. The Tigers will use Lancaster's big arm and lanky targets Mac Brower and Drake Starks to spread out the Bruins. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe transfer Dee King will receive most of the carries behind a line that features new LT Tristen Pierce. Defensively, senior Michael King and junior Braxton Stewart will try to keep elusive Northwest QB Luke Shiflett corralled.