Both middle school football teams, Riverview and Dawson County, will play in a preseason scrimmage at Pickens County Middle School in Jasper on Thursday. Each team will play two 30-minute games.

The Tigers will play at 5 p.m. against Pickens County Middle School and at 5:30 p.m. against Jasper Middle School.

The Eagles will lineup against Jasper Middle School at 6 p.m. and Pickens County Middle School at 6:30 p.m.

“We are basically hoping that our starters play well. We have decided as a coaching staff not to hide anything and just do what we do,” said Tigers Head Coach Thomy Edwards.

“I want to see how our guys react to different competition. From the scrimmage games our coaches will be able to see the changes needed to be made before our first game,” said Eagles Head Coach Mark Thomason.

“It will give us a chance to run all our plays we have been practicing for the last three weeks. We are going to run, throw and work on some play action stuff,” Edwards said. “We are not worried about what other teams see at the scrimmage.”

Both coaches have had to deal with the heat and humidity at practice last week.

“We have practiced really well despite the heat,” Thomason said. “Our coaches are just fine tuning the offense and defense. We have also been trying to get our special teams ready.”

“It has really been hot this week. We have had some good practices. Our eighth graders have really shown some leadership both on and off the field,” Edwards said.

The Tiger head coach was really pleased with the play of Jake Phillips and quarterback Brody Chester.

“Jake has really shown some leadership both on the football field and in the classroom. His teachers have remarked how well he does in class.

“Brody has done a great job showing leadership even though he is a seventh grader. He has really picked up the offense well,” Edwards said.

On the other side of the county, Thomason mentioned inside linebacker Jacob Lord.

“He may be the best linebacker in the region if he can stay healthy,” Thomason said.

The 6’1” 200-pound Lord led the team in tackles last season with 43, even though he played only four games.

“Jacob is real physical and he can really run for a big guy,” Thomason said.

Dawson and Riverview will open the regular season Aug. 28 by playing each other.

The game will be played at 7 p.m. at Dawson County High School.