Prep Football Season kicks off with four games this weekend

From Staff Reports

Four local football squads open the 2023 high school football season this weekend.

Trinity Christian kicks off the campaign on Friday, Aug. 18 on the road at Woodward Academy. Then on Saturday, the 4th Annual Coweta-Fayette Kickoff Classic takes place at Drake Stadium in Newnan as East Coweta, Northgate and Newnan High participate. Both Heritage School and Central Christian begin their respective regular seasons on Friday, Aug. 25.

On Friday, the Lions open against Woodward for the second consecutive year. Last season, Woodward claimed a 37-19 victory in Sharpsburg. Trinity Christian finished the season with a 6-5 record in its first season in GHSA Class 4A and advanced to the state playoffs.

The opener on Saturday has East Coweta facing Starr’s Mill at 12:30 p.m. The Indians finished 2022 with a 6-5 record and also advanced to the first round of the 7A state playoffs. East Coweta owns a 2-1 record in the Coweta-Fayette Kickoff Classic.

Next up at 4 p.m. is Northgate versus Whitewater. The Vikings were 5-7 a year ago but did advance to the 2nd Round of the 5A state playoffs. Northgate has yet to win in three tries in the Kickoff Classic.

And in the nightcap, host Newnan faces defending 3A champion Sandy Creek. The Cougars did not make the state playoffs a year ago while finishing 4-6. In the Kickoff Classic, Newnan is 1-2. The openers for Heritage School and Central Christian are a week later.

Heritage School travels to Chambers Academy on Aug. 25 and Central Christian is also on the road to face Vidalia Heritage. The Hawks ended the 2022 campaign with an 8-4 record and advanced to the GIAA 3A Quarterfinals. Central Christian sported a 2-8 record in GAPPS 8-man play.

East Coweta will compete in GHSA Class 7A, Newnan in 6A, Northgate in 5A and Trinity Christian 4A in 2023. Heritage School will participate in the GIAA in Class 3A, while Central Christian is set to play in GAPPS 2A in eight-man football.

COMPOSITE SCHEDULE (Thru Sept. 1)

Friday, Aug. 18

Trinity Christian at Woodward Academy, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 19

East Coweta vs. Starr’s Mill, 12:30 p.m. (1) Northgate vs. Whitewater, 4 p.m. (1) Sandy Creek at Newnan, 7:30 p.m. (1) (1) Coweta-Fayette Kickoff Classic

Friday, Aug. 25

Central Christian at Vidalia Heritage, 7:30 p.m. East Coweta at Newnan, 8 p.m.

Heritage School at Chambers Academy, 7:30 p.m.

Northgate at Starr’s Mill, 7:30 p.m.

Fellowship Christian at Trinity Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 1

Unity Christian at Central Christian, 7:30 p.m. Hillgrove at East Coweta, 7:30 p.m.

Heritage School at Kendrick, 7:30 p.m. Villa Rica at Northgate, 7:30 p.m.

Mary Persons at Trinity Christian, 7:30 p.m. Newnan, open