The Leopards, led by Head Coach Blair Armstrong, come into this Friday’s game against the Tigers with a 0-2 record after a spanking by Riverside Military Academy last Friday night, 56-28.

Banks County is hungry for a win as they host the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Homer.

Last year, Banks finished the season with a 5-6 record and are coming off the team’s first state play-off season in recent memory.

Armstrong and his team lost to Washington-Wilkes 42-26 during last year’s playoffs, but return 16 starters on offense and defense this season.

Last year our goal was to make the playoffs,” Leopards Armstrong said. “We just hadn’t learned how to finish yet. Once the players learn how to win again, they’ll answer the call.”

Banks County’s offense will run right through senior Justin Beasley, who ran for 1,657 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.

Demetric Dempson will join Beasley in the backfield of Armstrong’s Wing-T offense.

Beasley will run behind a huge offensive line.

The trio of Tyler Hulsey (5-11, 290), Justin Bowen (6-1, 225) and Tyler Young (6-2, 230) will open huge holes for Beasley.

Tyler Porter moves from wide receiver and defensive back to play quarterback this year.

Receivers Brandon Law and tight end Jeff Smith will be his two primary targets.

Defensively, the Leopards returned seven players.

Lyn Hester is a speedy defensive end, that reportedly runs a 4.8 40-yard dash.

Joining Hester on the defensive line will be huge tackle Hulsey.

Billy Pinson, the team’s second leading tackler last year, will be at middle linebacker for the Leopards.

Prediction:  Dawson County Head Coach Lee and his squad must keep Beasley in check like they did last year at Tiger Stadium.

Although they lost 28-21 they kept Beasley under 100 yards.

Defensive coordinator Van Samples always produces a good scheme to hem up Beasley.

Lee must also find a way to get their offense going after getting only 28 total yards of offense last week against Jefferson.

Both teams come into the contest with 0-1 records in region play and are desperate for a win.

I think Dawson’s offense will come alive this week and rack up lots of yards and points against the Leopards.

Look for Dawson County to get its first region win of the year this Friday.

Dawson County 30

Banks County 14