After several weeks of practice the Dawson County middle school football program is gearing up for its first game Thursday. The team will host the Pickens County middle school team at Sandy Walls Stadium.

It will be a game of firsts for coach Benji Edwards.

Dawson County combined Riverview Middle and Dawson Middle during a decision made in the spring. Pickens County did the same combining Pickens Middle and Jasper Middle into one team.

Kickoff will be at 5 p.m.

"Practice had been going good. We need to pick up the intensity a little bit. We are ready to hit someone besides our own players," Edwards said.

On offense Edwards has had to make some adjustments due to some injuries.

"I expect some good things from the offensive line. We also have an experienced quarterback and running back in Cullen Reed and Coey Watson," Edwards said.

Defense has shined in practice scrimmages.

"I think our defense looks really good right now. Luke Smith is going to be hard to block. He is explosive off the ball and has an eye for the football," he said.

Edwards said he is unsure what Pickens Middle will show in Thursday's game.

"I know they combined and in the past have run a combination of the wing T and spread offense," he said.

Defensively, the Tigers have been preparing to see either a four-man or five-man front.