Back to school means back to football.

The Dawson County Tigers are ready to get the season going as they kick off in a scrimmage Friday night at North Oconee.

"We are looking forward to traveling to North Oconee Friday," said Andy LeBlanc, offensive coordinator for Dawson County High School.

"The players have been working hard all summer and looking forward to getting the season started," he said.

While the pre-season efforts help coaches get a handle on things like the depth chart, Coach Sid Maxwell says he is not concerned until the team reaches region play.

"I have been at it long enough that I don't care about my win loss record," he said. "Worried about trying to get these guys each week to game 11 and play for it."

After Friday, practices will continue until the first official game of the season at home against Forsyth Central.

"We will use the scrimmage game as a measuring stick to see where we are as an offensive unit," LeBlanc said. "The scrimmage will also be used as an evaluation tool for individuals and developing our depth chart."

With this year's school realignments, Maxwell and his staff will oversee all four teams: eighth, ninth, junior varsity and varsity.

Football fans in Dawson County will have plenty of opportunities to get out and take in some games.

2016 Dawson County Tigers Football Schedules

8th Grade Schedule

Aug. 11 Chestatee at home @ 5 p.m.

Aug. 18 Lumpkin County at home @ 5 p.m.

Aug. 25 Banks County away @ 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 1 Habersham Central at home @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 8 Clear Creek away @ 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 Fannin County away @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 22 Union County at home @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 29 Pickens County at home @ 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 PLAYOFFS TBD

Oct. 13 Championship Game TBD

9th Grade Schedule

Aug. 25 White County away @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 1 Pickens County at home @ 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 Fannin County away @ 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 North Hall away @ 5 p.m.

Games may be added

Junior Varsity Schedule

Aug. 25 White County at home @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 1 Pickens County away @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 8 OPEN

Sept. 15 Gilmer at home @ 5 p.m.

Sept. 22 Fannin County at home @ 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 Union County at home @ 5 p.m.

Oct. 6 Lumpkin County away @ 5 p.m.

Oct. 13 Flowery Branch at home @ 5 p.m.

Varsity Schedule
All varsity games begin at 7:30 unless otherwise noted

Aug. 26 Forsyth Central at home

Sept. 2 Chattooga away

Sept. 16 West Hall away

Sept. 23 White County at home

Sept. 30 North Hall away

Oct. 7 Union County at home

Oct. 14 Fannin County away

Oct. 21 East Hall away

Oct. 28 Lumpkin County at home

Nov. 4 Greater Atlanta Christian at home