The 2008 high school football season kicks off Friday evening at Rebel Field in Hayneville at 7 p.m.

The Lowndes Academy Rebels and Hooper Academy Colts renew their rivalry in a bragging rights game that will not affect playoff hopes for either team. Hooper is Class AAA and Lowndes is Class AA. But that doesn’t mean the game is not important.

The Rebels want to improve on their seven wins last year. The Colts just want to improve.

Hooper finished 1-9 in 2007 and fell to Lowndes 36-14 in last year’s clash.

“It’s just a big deal when Hooper and Lowndes play,” said Lowndes coach Art Sullivan. “We’re looking forward to Friday night.”

Sullivan anticipates a spread offensive attack from the Colts. Hooper’s new coach, Zach Golson, ran the spread offense as the quarterback for Huntington College.

Fortunately, the Rebels will not enter the game unprepared. They scrimmaged the spread-oriented Macon East Knights at Rebel field last Friday.

Sullivan thought his defense held up well against the Knights, but will have a better feel for his team’s defensive capabilities following Friday’s game.

The Rebels will counter with a run-oriented gameplan. Their offense will not be of the quick-strike variety, but they should be able to mount lengthy, clock-eating scoring drives.

Bragging rights are not the only incentive on the Rebels’ minds.

“They want to get off to a good start and not lose that first one,” said Sullivan. “They’re ready.”