Football fans have been chomping at the bit for the new season.

They won’t have to wait much longer.

Teams in Georgia can offically begin practice on Aug. 1 in preparation for the season openers on Aug. 31.

For Walker County’s trio of high school teams, the opponents have not changed from last season, but the location of the games have.

Opening night will see all three teams on the road in non-region games.

Gordon Lee will open the season at Model, Ridgeland will play at Armuchee and LaFayette will battle in Trion in the 51st game of the long series.

The Backyard Brawl will be held on Sept. 7 when Gordon Lee hosts Ridgeland.

The Panthers used a late fourth-quarter goal-line stand to beat the Trojans, 21-14, in Happy Valley last year.

Panthers' tailback Terryl Freeman had a huge night, rushing for 232 yards on 32 attempts and scoring there touchdowns.

Ridgeland and LaFayette will also square off once more. The Panthers will invade Jack King Stadium in LaFayette on Sept. 28 hoping to make it two in a row over their

neighbors to the south.

Ridgeland handed the Ramblers a 42-21 defeat last fall.

Freeman had 126 yards on the ground and scored twice while Alex Hutchison rushed for 78 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Once again, Gordon Lee will play seven non-region games and have an open week before beginning Region 6-A play.

In addition to their opener at Model, the Trojans will go on the road to South Paulding on Sept. 14 and to Ringgold

on Sept. 28.

Non-region home games will also include Creekview on Sept,

21, Dade County on Oct. 5 an North Oconee on Oct. 12.

Gordon Lee will have a bye week on Oct. 19 before hosting Bowdon in the 6-A opener on Oct. 26.

That game will mark the last regular season home game as the Trojans will finish up the year at Bremen on Nov. 2 and at Trion on Nov. 9.

LaFayette’s non-subregion games will include visits to Ringgold on Sept. 7 and Pepperell on Sept. 21.

They will also entertain Armuchee on Sept. 14. LaFayette will take off the week of Oct. 5 to gear up for subregion play.

The Ramblers 7-AA North subregion schedule begins on Oct.

12 when they host Adairsville. Trips to Chattooga on Oct. 19 and Dade County on Oct. 26 will follow.

LaFayette will have its last two games at home on Nov. 2 against Sonoraville and Nov. 9 against Calhoun.

Ridgeland will host Ringgold in the first Region 7-AAAA game of the year on Sept. 14 before traveling to Northwest Whitfield the following week.

After the trip to LaFayette, the Panthers will enjoy an off week before diving back into region play.

Ridgeland will host LFO on Oct. 12 before back-to-back road games at Southeast Whitfield and Gordon Central to finish up the month of October.

Rome and Dalton come to Ridgeland on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 in two important games.

The Panthers will play just four home games this season after enjoying six home dates a year ago.

The first round of the Georgia High School Association state playoffs will begin on Nov. 16.

The top two teams in each region will host first round games