The weather is cold in the morning, hot by the afternoon, there’s pollen coating every vehicle and my shorts have come out of storage — you know what that means.

It’s time for football! Almost, anyway. If you don’t count spring football in April and May, we’re about five months away from kickoff, but the 2025 schedules are set.

Considering we’re in the second year of the two-year region cycle, there will be a lot of familiar if not identical games to 2024.

Here’s what you get in 2025:

Houston County

Aug. 16 – HoCo versus Brookwood (Corky Kell Classic)

For the second year in a row the Bears have been invited to participate in the Corky Kell Classic in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This time around they’ll take on the Brookwood Broncos out of Snellville, Georgia, who were 7-4 last year in Region 7-6A.

Aug. 22 – HoCo @ Effingham County

The Bears will travel to Springfield, Georgia for the second part of their home-and-home series with the Rebels. Last year HoCo won, just barely, in a 44-41 final where Effingham County quarterback Tucker Perkins threw for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Aug. 29 – HoCo versus Perry (Childhood Cancer Awareness)

In the ninth straight installment of what’s been a thrilling rivalry game the last few years, the Bears will host Perry on “Rivalry Week.” Last year HoCo won 31-17 by shutting down a potent Panthers running attack — a rare feat for most teams.

Sept. 5 – HoCo @ Warner Robins

This game has been intense ever since coach Jeremy Edwards hopped over to Highway 96 to take the reigns at HoCo, and anticipate this one to be no different. Both teams lost program-altering players last year, like Antwann Hill Jr and Isaiah Mitchell for the Bears and Rasean Dinkins and Isaiah Gibson for Warner Robins.

Sept. 12 – HoCo versus Tift County (Military Appreciation)

The Blue Devils gave HoCo a bit of a scare early last year before the Bears pulled away 42-19. This will be Tift County’s first year under new head coach Jeff Littleton, who led Bainbridge to a 5A state championship in 2018.

Sept. 19 – Bye

Sept. 26 – HoCo versus Veterans (Homecoming)

This was the Bears’ most lopsided game last year, winning 56-0 and scoring 50-plus points for the second time that season. The Warhawks will be under new head coach Steven DeVoursney.

Oct. 3 – HoCo @ Northside

This was also a lopsided game in favor of the Bears last year, winning 63-22 as Antwann Hill Jr threw for 489 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Eagles will also be under a new head coach, Daniel “Boone” Williams.

Oct. 10 – Bye

Oct. 17 – HoCo versus Coffee (Cancer Awareness)

Last year this was (to the surprise of many) a defensive battle between the Trojans and HoCo, who lost 14-0. Coffee finished 11-3 in 2024 and lost to Williams’ Langston Hughes 49-26 in the semifinals.

Oct. 24 – HoCo @ Thomas County Central

Thomas County Central was usurped by Lee County last year, but still finished second in the region and made it to the quarterfinals. Want to guess who they lost to? Langston Hughes, 28-12.

Oct. 31 – HoCo versus Lee County (Senior Night)

The Bears will celebrate their seniors against Lee County, who ran away with the region last year and didn’t lose a game until they ran into Milton in the semifinals. Milton also knocked HoCo out in the quarterfinals.

Northside

Aug. 16 – Northside versus Eagle’s Landing (Conrad Nix Appreciation)

Eagle’s Landing was one of Northside’s two wins last year, in the form of a 38-18 final. This will be the Eagles first Saturday game since 2023, when they beat Jones County in the Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic.

Aug. 22 – Northside versus Baldwin (Chris Johnson Scholarship)

The Eagles narrowly beat Baldwin last year in a 13-12 final, which would be their final win of the season. The Braves missed both of their two-point conversions, which allowed the Eagles to escape despite only finding the end zone once.

Aug. 29 – Northside @ Warner Robins (Whiteout/CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN)

Northside will aim to keep Warner Robins from winning the Crosstown Showdown for the ninth straight year. The Eagles were only down 14-9 at halftime, but were outscored 21-0 in the second half.

Sept. 5 – Bye

Sept. 12 – Northside versus Burke County (Homecoming)

In a narrow 14-6 defeat, this was one of the Eagles’ more impressive defensive performances. Burke County was a high-powered offense last year, averaging 41 points per game.

Sept. 19 – Northside versus Peach County

The Eagles were one of many on the receiving end of Peach County’s offense last year, led by senior D.J. Hudson. Hudson was Region 1-3A player of the year, and Recruit Georgia’s 3A player of the year.

Sept. 26 – Northside versus Coffee (Jay’s Hope/Pinkout)

Coffee was one of three opponents that shut out the Eagles’ offense last year, this one in a 41-0 Monday game moved by Hurricane Helene.

Oct. 3 – Northside versus HoCo (Military Appreciation)

The 22 points Northside scored against the Bears was their second-highest total of the season, the first being the 38 in the season opener against Eagle’s Landing.

Oct. 10 – Bye

Oct. 17 – Northside @ Thomas County Central

The Eagles’ trip to Thomasville is one of three road games they have in 2025, a far cry from last year’s (scheduled) four.

Oct. 24 – Northside @ Lee County

When Northside heads to Lee County, this will be their only road trip of the season. They lost 55-7 at home last year.

Oct. 31 – Northside versus Veterans (Senior Night)

The Eagles were Veterans’ lone win during their 1-9 season last year, and were one of the three teams that shut Northside out.

Perry

Aug. 15 – Perry versus Baldwin

Baldwin has been a staple on Perry’s schedule since the two teams were put in a region in 2020. However, the Braves have yet to get the best of the Panthers since then.

Aug. 22 – Perry @ Peach County

Peach County was one of a couple shootouts Perry took part in last year. Ahmad Gordon rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns; The Panthers had 319 total yards on the ground and four touchdowns.

Aug. 29 – Perry @ HoCo

HoCo seemed to have Perry’s number last year as they shut down their run game and beat them 31-17 in the Panther Pit. Cullen McDaniel did throw for 313 yards and a touchdown while the rushing attack was held to -10 yards.

Sept. 5 – Bye

Sept. 12 – Perry versus Veterans

The Panthers routed the Warhawks last year in a 38-0 final where all of their touchdowns game on the ground — an antithesis of their loss to HoCo the previous week.

Sept. 19 – Perry @ East Coweta

East Coweta was another team that had an answer for Perry’s rushing attack, and they shocked the Panthers with a 31-15 loss at home. This time Perry will make the trip up to Sharpsburg to start a four-game road trip.

Sept. 26 – Perry @ New Hampstead

Last year’s 80-47 final was, for lack of a better word, insane. Phoenix quarterback Rashawn Truell threw for 635 yards and six touchdowns, and the Panthers responded with several defensive scores and eight touchdowns.

Oct. 3 – Perry @ Wayne County

This was another game moved by Hurricane Helene last year, and it was moved to Perry. This time the Panthers will take the trip down to Jesup.

Oct. 10 – Bye

Oct. 17 – Perry @ Ware County

This will be the finale of a four-game road trip for Perry, who beat the Gators 31-21 to set themselves up for a region championship.

Oct. 24 – Perry versus Benedictine

Benedictine made it to the semifinals in 2023 and were champions in 2022, but Perry knocked them off in 2024 to secure a region championship.

Oct. 31 – Perry versus Warner Robins

This was an entertaining game that had no “real” effect on the region standings, but was quite a way to revive a 60-year-old rivalry.

Veterans

Aug. 15 – Veterans versus Jones County

The 26 points the Warhawks scored against Jones County ended up being their second-highest total on the season in what was their best three-game stretch of the season. They, at the very least, won’t have to contend with senior quarterback Devin Edmonds this year, who threw for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2024.

Aug. 22 – Veterans versus Statesboro

This was very nearly a Veterans victory last year, as they took a 10-9 lead into the fourth quarter. However, they gave up 12 points in the final period and ultimately fell 21-10. Senior Jaylyn Heath ran for 128 of the Blue Devils’ 213 rushing yards.

Aug. 28 (Thursday) – Veterans versus Starr’s Mill

This was a tough draw for a Veterans team that was trying to figure out what they were, considering Starr’s Mill was coming off of a semifinals appearance. However, the Warhawks played them close in the second half after going down 28-7, but just couldn’t get over the hump as they lost 35-27.

Sept. 5 – Bye

Sept. 12 – Veterans @ Perry

The wheels started to fall off this time last year for the Warhawks, who lost to Perry 38-0 as they were eviscerated on the ground. They won’t have to defend against Ahmad Gordon this year, but Decorrion Daniels is still lurking.

Sept. 19 – Veterans versus Warner Robins

The first game in three years between these teams got a little chippy towards the end, as Veterans lost their fifth straight 41-10. The Demons will go through sweeping changes this offseason, particularly on defense.

Sept. 26 – Veterans @ HoCo

HoCo beat Veterans 56-0 last year to hand them what would be their second biggest loss on the season as Antwann Hill Jr threw for 302 yards and 5 touchdowns, and the Bears ran for 196 yards.

Oct. 3 – Veterans versus Thomas County Central

The Yellow Jackets were the first team to score 60 points on Veterans. Quarterback Jaylen Johnson, who will return this year, threw for 405 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Oct. 10 – Bye

Oct. 17 – Veterans @ Lee County

Lee County tore through the entire Region 2-5A and only lost to Milton, who ended up winning the 5A state championship. The Warhawks were no different, who gave up a season-high 67 points in their 67-10 loss.

Oct. 24 – Veterans versus Coffee

The Trojans had a ground and pound philosophy last year, and Tyrese Woodgett and KJ Debruce combined for 231 yards as they beat Veterans 41-7.

Oct. 31 – Veterans @ Northside

This game was the lone win for the Warhawks last year, 17-0. Their effort was highlighted by five interceptions pulled down by five different players, including Lawrence Moton who took his 102 yards for a score.

Warner Robins

Aug. 15 – Warner Robins versus Lee County

The trip to Leesburg was an unfortunate one for the Demons last year, who struggled with drops and generating offense outside of Skyler Williams’ 220 rushing yards. The good news: Region 2-5A Player of the Year Weston Bryan and Offensive Player of the Year Ousmane Kromah are gone for 2025.

Aug. 22 – Warner Robins @ Fayette County

This game served as a tune up after a 45-28 loss to Lee County, and Warner Robins walked away with an easy 42-7 win over Fayette County, who finished 1-9.

Aug. 29 – Warner Robins versus Northside (CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN)

There’s a new coach north of Watson, but the Demons will still look to continue their dominance and make it nine in a row in the Crosstown Showdown.

Sept. 5 – Warner Robins versus HoCo

Warner Robins and HoCo had an intense face-off while everyone else was on a bye week, and the 54-44 final in favor of the Demons didn’t disappoint. Both teams are going through big changes this offseason, but the rivalry should be as bitter as ever.

Sept. 12 – Bye

Sept. 19 – Warner Robins @ Veterans

This game got chippy last year, and both teams ended up having to leave separately as Warner Robins won 41-10 for their fourth straight win.

Sept. 26 – Warner Robins @ Wayne County

Last year this contest was moved in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. Warner Robins held Wayne County to 103 yards in a 36-3 win.

Oct. 3 – Warner Robins @ Benedictine

Benedictine snapped the Demons’ five-game win streak in a 35-21 final last year, but they have some key departures in 2025: Region 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year Third Scroggins, Offensive Lineman of the Year Jacobs Ward and others.

Oct. 10 – Bye

Oct. 17 – Warner Robins versus New Hampstead

Warner Robins soundly defeated New Hampstead 34-22 last year, and the Phoenix will be without Region 1-4A Co-Player of the Year Rashawn Truell next time around.

Oct. 24 – Warner Robins versus Ware County

Fun Fact: This intense rivalry game has had the same final score but flipped results in the last two years. In 2024 the Gators beat Warner Robins 23-21, and in 2023 the Demons won on a last-second field goal 23-21 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Oct. 31 – Warner Robins @ Perry

The Demons and Panthers renewed a rivalry that’d been dormant for 60 years with a thriller. This time it’ll be in the Panther Pit as the teams again finish the regular season against each other.

Westfield

Aug. 15 – Westfield @ Brookwood

The Warriors were suffering from big losses in the offseason in 2024, and Westfield took advantage to win 55-6 in their biggest margin of victory.

Aug. 22 – Westfield versus Southland Academy

This one was another big win for the Hornets, who beat the Raiders 47-7 behind a balanced attack that totaled 417 yards.

Aug. 29 – Westfield versus Deerfield-Windsor

The 33-29 loss to Deerfield-Windsor was one of two very close losses for the Hornets in the early season. This year they won’t have to contend with Cole Jones, who ran for 240 yards on 10.4 yards per carry in 2024.

Sept. 5 – Bye

Sept. 12 – Westfield @ Tiftarea

It wasn’t an offensive clinic, but Westfield got a sound win over Tiftarea 21-14. This year things should at least be a little different with quarterback John Robert Walker gone — he was the core of the Panthers’ option offense.

Sept. 19 – Westfield versus First Presbyterian Day (Homecoming)

Westfield’s 28-23 loss to First Presbyterian Day showed that this year was different, and that the Hornets could make a run in the postseason. FPD is coming off of a championship appearance in 2024, after winning it all in 2023.

Sept. 26 – Westfield @ Pinewood

Pinewood finished 2-8 last year, and the Hornets took care of business behind 251 yards from quarterback Brayden Gay.

Oct. 3 – Westfield versus Strong Rock Christian

This was Westfield’s first district game in a year where they lost none. The final for this one was 28-7.

Oct. 10 – Westfield @ Calvary Christian

The Hornets blew out Calvary Christian 41-0 for their one and only shutout of the season. It also marked their third win in a row.

Oct. 17 – Westfield versus Brookstone (Senior Night)

Winning this game 17-10 in 2024 allowed Westfield to stay in the running for a district championship in a defensive battle. Mercer Hudson, who had five Tackles for Loss and 14 total tackles for the Cougars, will be gone in 2025.

Oct. 24 – Westfield @ St. Anne-Pacelli

Westfield clinched their first district championship in nearly 10 years with a 26-10 win over St. Anne-Pacelli at home, but this year they’ll have to travel into enemy territory.