The start of the football season is here for Griffin Christian and Faith Christian, both on the road tonight, while closer to home, No. 7-state ranked Griffin hosts No. 1 state ranked Marist 7 p.m., in a preseason scrimmage at Memorial Stadium.

Spalding High — which scrimmaged last week, topping visiting Morrow 21-20 — and first-year program Skipstone Academy have the night off.

There’s no doubt the best attended game is expected to be Griffin’s. It should be. After all the Bears return 14 players, seven on each side of the ball, from a team that lost to Tucker 34-0 in the Class AAAA state semifinals, while Marist returns 10 starters, five on each side of the ball, from a team that lost to Tucker 15-3 in the Class AAAA state finals.

It just doesn’t get much better than that. Go, watch and enjoy.

While the bulk of the local football fans are expected to pack into Memorial Stadium to watch the Bears and War Eagles, Griffin Christian and Faith Christian will take their share of loyal supporters with them.

Griffin Christian is playing 15 miles away in Locust Grove against Strong Rock Christian. While Griffin Christian football is in its fourth year of existence, Strong Rock is in its third year.

Relatively speaking both GISA schools are coming off banners season, Griffin Christian winning a school-record four games last season and Strong Rock going 5-6 in its first year of varsity football.

Both teams were hurt during the offseason when players transferred. Although both teams still have a few weapons, look for the visitors to unveil their newfound running attack in style as the world is introduced to Trey “Showtime“ Epperson and Anthony “Spotlight“ Lewis… Griffin Christian 35-24.

Faith Christian has the longer trip of the two local private schools in action, playing in Loganville against Covenant Christian. Both teams play eight-man football in the ICSGA.

It’s the Faith Christian Academy football team’s second year of existence. Lions head coach Jim McClelland said on paper both teams are about even. He’s hoping it plays out in his team’s favor because of better conditioning.

The Lions are led by reigning Griffin Daily News Player of the Year Robert Jackson and his brother, quarterback Brandon Ray. Jackson begins his junior campaign tonight in style, while Ray, a freshman who started last year as an eighth grader, begins to set the world on fire… Faith Christian 38-28.

(Sullivan is the sports editor at the Griffin Daily News).