A region champion from a year ago versus a school ushering in a new coach with a familiar last name opens the Wiregrass’ high school football season on Thursday night.

The Dale County Warriors, coming off a region title, travel 11 miles eastward on Highway 134 to face the Headland Rams.

The two nearby rivals have an early kickoff of 6 p.m. at Headland’s J.J. Yarbrough Stadium.

It’s the only Thursday game as most Wiregrass teams kick off on Friday.

The Warriors finished with an 8-3 record last year in earning the 4A, Region 2 title. Led by head coach Evan Ballard in his third year, the Warriors return five starters on offense and seven on defense, including 6-foot-6 wide receiver standout Junior Smith, who has verbally committed to play collegiately at Jacksonville State.

The Rams, 5-5

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