The Spalding High Jaguars and the Griffin Bears football teams will each play intrasquad “scrimmage” games Friday to prepare for their upcoming preseason games next week. The Jags will get the party started first, scrimmaging early this morning, while the Bears will scrimmage this evening, if the weather permits.

The Bears travel to Newnan Aug. 17 to face the Newnan Cougars in preseason action while Spalding hosts the Pike County Pirates Aug. 17 in its preseason game.

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SKIPSTONE TO PLAY REGULAR SEASON OPENER TODAY: The Skipstone Academy Warriors football team travels to Baxley, Ga. tonight, opening the 2012 regular season against the Eagles of Appling Christian Academy in non-region action at 7:30 p.m.

Last year, Skipstone opened the regular season at home against Appling Christian and was soundly whipped 42-8. Warriors head coach Dan Salvador said he knows why his team lost to Appling in 2011.

“They were in great shape and we weren’t,” Salvador said. “I think this year will be different — we have a deeper group so the players will be fresh for the entire game, unlike in last year’s home opener.”

Salvador said he will have a full offensive and defensive unit for tonight’s game and he’s pleased to have a new wide receiver join the mix — rising junior Jamaceo “Jam” Kimble. Salvador said Kimble and fellow new wideout Quindarius Johnson both have good speed and good hands. He also will start rising freshman tailback Luke Mayven against Appling, noting that Mayven has practiced well on the JV team.

“We haven’t been executing well this week; we’ve been sloppy,” Salvador said. “I’m hoping we will play better during the game.”

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CRUSADERS WORKING ON DEFENSE: With Griffin Christian offensive coordinator Stuart Gottlieb out since last week due to foot surgery, the Crusaders have focused heavily on defensive drills this week. Defensive coordinator Randy Wilson has been working the guys hard in the weight room and line coach Danny Pettus has been teaching the prospective linemen.

“We’ve been working on line drills, tackling drills and overall defensive fundamentals,” said Crusaders head coach Bobby Brogdon. “We’ve been emphasizing leading with your shoulder, not your helmet, during tackles.”

Gottlieb should return to GCHS next Wednesday and Brogdon said the team will work on its offensive sets. The Crusaders will not play any scrimmage games this season — instead they will open their season at home Aug. 24 against Central Fellowship in non-region action at 7:30 p.m.

Former Crusaders running back Anthony Lewis attended practice earlier in the week and helped out the staff. Lewis, a sophomore at Mars Hill College in North Carolina, said he will be the starting kick returner and will have competition at the tailback position.

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LIONS SMALL IN NUMBERS, WORKING HARD: The Faith Christian Academy Lions had 15 total players on the varsity and middle school teams this week and coach Jim McClelland Jr. said they have looked pretty good.

“We’re working hard in the weight room and have been focusing on teamwork, keeping their heads up and having a good year,” McClelland said.

McClelland said they will practice in pads starting on Monday. The team will learn their new offensive plays and get accustomed to the verbiage of the offense next week as well.