Head Dawson County Football Coach Jeff Lee has announced the 2012 schedule.

The Tigers will open the season with a scrimmage game at home against Towns County on Aug. 17.

The Tigers will enter a newly aligned region this season.

Dawson County will enter Region 7-AAA, which includes Fannin County, North Hall, White County, Banks County, Buford, East Hall and West Hall.

Lee and his team will open the season with a region game at home against East Hall on Aug. 24. The Vikings finished last season with a 4-6 record.

Dawson County will play three non-region games. The Tigers will line up against rival Lumpkin County in Dahlonega on Aug. 31. The Indians had a good season last year and finished with a winning record of 6-4.

The other two non-region games will be against North Forsyth and Forsyth Central.

North concluded last year with a disappointing 1-9 campaign.

Central also had a sub-par year, finishing with a 2-8 record.

New to the Tigers schedule will be Buford, White County and North Hall.

The Wolves reputation is unquestionable. Buford played for the state championship last season, falling in overtime to Calhoun, 27-24.

Coach Jess Simpson and his team finished the season with a 14-1 record.

White County played to a 3-7 record, while North Hall also had a down year at 4-6.

Both teams should reload and provide a good game for the Tigers.

Banks County was eliminated by Adairsville, 21-3, in last year's first round of the state playoffs. The Leopards will return a strong nucleus of players from last season's 7-4 team.

Fans looking to get a preview of the team are invited to the Tigers' 2012 Spring Fest on Saturday at Tigers Stadium from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The team invites the community to join in a day of fun and football.

There will be a car show, bike show, local vendors and barbecue plates. Admission will be $4 per person without a meal ticket or $8 including the barbecue plate.