With the fresh 2016 season comes a fresh new region for Bainbridge football, with the Bearcats throwing down against three different out of state schools.

Now part of Region 1-AAAAA, Bainbridge is competing against Veterans (Kathleen, Georgia), Harris County (Hamilton, Georgia), Warner Robins and age-old rival Thomas County Central for one of four spots in the State Playoffs.

Bainbridge’s first six games of the 2016 season are non-region matchups.

They open the season on Aug. 26 at home against Lee County. Last season, Lee County went 6-6 (1-4 Region 1-AAAAAA).

On Sept. 9, the Bearcats play Lincoln (Tallahassee) on the road. Lincoln went 6-7 last season and reached round two of the Florida State Playoffs, falling 57-20 to Columbia.

Bainbridge returns to host rival Cairo on Sept. 9 at Centennial Field. Bainbridge defeated the Syrupmakers twice last season, once in week two and the second in the Region Championship to cap the regular season 10-0.

The Bearcats return to the road Sept. 16 to play Early County, and then are back at Bainbridge to play Dothan (Alabama). They travel to Rickards (Tallahassee) to play their last out-of-state game before returning to Centennial Field on Oct. 7 to kick off region play against Veterans.

Veterans went 4-8 last season and lost to Thomson in the first round of the State Playoffs. Bainbridge has an off week following its game against the Warhawks.

Thomas County Central is next on the list for the Bearcats. Bainbridge will travel to play the Yellow Jackets on Oct. 21. Last season, Bainbridge was able to slow TCC’s triple option veer offense to a slow crawl for a 34-16 win.

The Bearcats will travel to Harris County, who went 2-8 last season, on Oct. 28, and wrap up the regular season on Nov. 4 against Warner Robins at Centennial Field.