I hope everyone will come out and support our Bainbridge High School Bearcats when they host the Americus-Sumter County High School Panthers in a preseason football scrimmage Friday night at Centennial Field.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. and admission will be just $5.

The Bearcats will open their season Friday, August 26 against the Early County High School Bobcats at Centennial Field. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

I think the Georgia High School Association’s decision a few years ago to allow preseason scrimmages before season-opening games is a good one.

It gives teams a chance to work on their offensive, defensive and special teams execution.

It also gives young junior varsity players a chance to get in some playing time.

Friday nights scrimmage format will feature the Bearcats and Panthers varsities playing the first three quarters and the two teams junior varsities playing the fourth quarter.

The Panthers run a wide open offense so the Bearcats pass defense will be tested. One member of that pass defense, senior defensive back Rodney Glenn, has looked good defending passes in preseason workouts.

Senior quarterback Quincy Fortson and sophomore quarterback Preston Norris have  both done a good job running the Bearcats split-back veer offense and junior Terry Lewis has done a good job running the football.

Two key players, junior wide receiver and defensive back Cameron McDowell and senior running back Aaron Hall, who both played well in preseason practices, will unfortunately miss Friday night’s scrimmage and some regular season games due to injuries.

I have been impressed with what I have seen while watching Bearcats preseason practices.

While the heat has been severe, Coach Pilcher and Bainbridge High School certified athletic trainer Chris Summers have given the players frequent water breaks.

They are deeply concerned about each and every player and their health.

For the split-back veer or any other offense to be successful, the offensive line must do their job well and the Bearcats have some strong blockers up front offensively.

The anchor of the offensive line is junior center Cole Granato. Three more juniors, Anquivious “Quivo” Carroll, Tim Shaw and Andrzej Jeglinski, will see duty at guard. They are all strong performers along with junior tackle Jason Long.

We are privileged to have Coach Pilcher, who won five state champions at Thomas County Central High School and is one of the most successful and highly respected football coaches in the state of Georgia, running our Bearcats football program.

I don’t know what the Bearcats record will be this season, but I will guarantee you one thing. No other team will out hustle or play any harder than our Bearcats.