First, all I have to say is: FOOTBALL!!!!!

I would have put many more exclamation points behind it, but I don’t know how you would have reacted for the sake of copy.

It has been an interesting week:
All of the first-week kickoff classics are taking place. They are in Statesboro, Valdosta (next weekend), Atlanta, Columbus, and East Point.

The most interesting part of the whole thing will end up being the weather. Weather folks are saying that, here in Atlanta anyway, it will only be in the mid-90’s. But it will be about 400 degrees down south and it has already created some changes in game scheduling. For example, the Lee County-Westover game set for 1p.m. was moved to 9 a.m.

And I completely get that.

Here’s hoping that the athletes who are going at it this weekend will be well rested, hydrated, and ready for their respective Week 2’s with appropriate water breaks and break-breaks.

Oh, we already have highlights:
Savannah Christian and Jenkins kicked off the Savannah area season for the third year in a row.

Frank and Stefanie have the highlights through the Frenzy.



((HT: The Coastal Source))



And Central-Carroll took on Bowdon for the first game in the northeast corner of the state. The Lions kept the Red Devils in check, 34-0, and K-Rod was there.

((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))
High 5 Sports - Prep sports coverage from FOX 5 Atlanta

Now, for a couple of local thoughts…

Our “Southern Swing” went all over the southern part of the state, but our first day ended with a big day at Westover High in Albany when Trenton Thompson decided to stay home and attend the University of Georgia for his college playing years. I caught up with him after he made the decision and asked him about the choice to head to Athens instead of going to Clemson, the Plains, or heading to Los Angeles.



And, to put a bow on week one, here’s a challenge I made in name of some good friends that involved an Ice Bucket: #alsicebucketchallenge

Post by Georgia Traveler.





So, yes, I did the #ALSIceBucketChallenge. But I would like to share the points I made when I first did it. There are those close to us and those we barely know that are suffering from horrible diseases that aren’t garnering attention through dunking cold water over your head. We should be just as vigilant for those in need close to us.

That’s my goal and wish for this and every week.

Reminder: Season Four of “Football Fridays in Georgia” kicks off next Friday night with Archer at Peachtree Ridge. The “All-Access Pass” starts at 7 p.m. with kickoff shortly after 7:30 p.m. Join Mark, Claire, Grace, Matt, Chuck, Larry, and me this season for all the fun.

Be sure to check us out on Facebook at GPB Sports, on Twitter @GPBSports, on Instagram, and don’t forget to download the GPB Sports app for all the up-to-date scores and stuff. Yes, that was a highly-official term.

Play it safe, everyone! I’ll see you at the stadium.