VALDOSTA — The high school football season is officially upon us. Yes, this week has a light game schedule with just four local area teams playing, but it’s still football.

This is the greatest time of the year.

Earlier this summer, I wrote a column previewing the high school season. Now that the season is here, I have decided to write another column about all kinds of various things relating to high school football.

Also, don’t forget that this Friday’s paper will feature the first “Friday Night Fever” column of the season. Christian Malone and I will be picking winners for our three local area games (Clinch County visits Brooks County, Windsor Academy visits Valwood and Lanier County hosts Atkinson County), along with some of the games for the Corky Kell Classic in the Georgia Dome on Saturday.

I want to thank all those people that have started following me on Twitter. I have gained a lot of new followers over the past three months (dating back to the softball National Championships in May), and I hope that number continues to rise. Follow me at @Ed_Hooper and don’t forget to follow our department account at @vdtsports.



Key games:



Brooks County at Valdosta (Sept. 7)

Brooks County High is 0-6 all-time against the Wildcats. But with such a high-powered team in Class AA this season, will this season be the year the Trojans go into Bazemore-Hyder Stadium and knock off the reigning Region 1-AAAAA champion Wildcats?

Junior quarterback Malcolm Parrish will terrorize opposing defenses this season, and with a young defensive bunch for Valdosta, the Trojans could be in for the big play. Add to it that Valdosta plays a Saturday game the week before, and the Trojans could (and I say could) be in for an upset win.



Valwood at Edmund Burke (Sept. 7)

A rematch to last year’s GISA Class AA state semifinal, the Valiants are hungry for redemption against Edmund Burke. A favorite to win the state championship this season, Valwood will face one of its toughest tests of the season when facing the Spartans on the road.



Lowndes at Colquitt County (Sept. 28)

Because of my duties covering Lowndes every Friday night, I will actually get to see this game, unlike the other two listed above. This game intrigues me on multiple levels. First, this game is a rematch of that 34-7 thrashing the Packers handed out last season. Secondly, this will be the first real test Lowndes will face this season. The Vikings open the season with four lackluster opponents at home, so the meeting with the Packers will give us a clear indication of what Lowndes really is about this season.



Lowndes at Valdosta (Oct. 12)

The 2012 edition of the Winnersville Classic is filled with headlines. Here are some that will catch my eye:

- Can the Wildcats make it two in-a-row?

-From Valdosta to Lowndes, Stephenson joins rival school.

- Gillespie vs. McPherson, the final 48 seconds.

Oh yes, this game will be fun. That’s all I can say about this game right now. If I don’t stop, I will write 45 inches and my editor won’t be happy with me.



Cook at Brooks (Oct. 26)

This matchup features two likely candidates for the Region 1-AA championship. After a monster victory in 2010, the Hornets slipped up to the Trojans last season, 19-15, in Adel. This year, both teams are loaded and both are striving for state championships. The Trojans are a tough team to face any time of the year, especially when they’re home in Quitman. But, don’t count out the Hornets. Coach Ken Cofer will have his young team ready to go and ready to fight.



Players to watch:

Tiquan Lang — Lowndes

His third season as a starter on the Lowndes defense, Lang was the only local prospect named to a preseason All-State team. The starting safety for the Vikings, Lang will surely be a key player this season. He will also see action on offense as a running back and wide receiver.



Shelby Wilkes — Valdosta

Shelby Wilkes returns as the VHS starting quarterback and there is a lot of excitement around the youngster from Moultrie. Wilkes leads an explosive offense filled with returners, including two running backs. The pressure will be on the senior, though. Valdosta has scored 30 or more points in 11 games of the 24 games under head coach Rance Gillespie.



Zak Williams — Cook

Zak Williams caught 50 passes for the Hornets last season. He will see even more passes this season with the departure of Travin Henry, who is now at Georgia Tech. Williams will be critical in helping quarterback Ross Pickle settle into his new position — he was a linebacker in 2010 and 2011. Regardless, Cook is a throwing team and Williams will surely get the opportunity to put up big numbers.



Malcolm Parrish — Brooks

I feel like this kid has been playing football for the Trojans for 8 years. Really it has been just two (he’s entering his third), but he has accomplished so much already that it’s hard to believe. Parrish is one of the most exciting players in our region — if not the most exciting — and he will be a sight to see in 2012 (and next year, too). The Trojans have formed the offense around him, so he should have a chance to shine.

Once again, I can’t wait for the season to start Friday. Everyone make sure to pick up an edition of the Times for the first Grid Times edition of the year, featuring previews for the Valwood, Brooks-Clinch, and Lanier games, along with my column.