Area football teams will look to open the 2012 season on a good note as all eight area teams begin a new year of fall tonight.
Alpena is hoping to rebound from a rough 1-8 campaign last year and will host Escanaba, who rolled over the Wildcats 52-0 in last season's opener.
In Lincoln, the Alcona Tigers host Rogers City and its new coach Tim Nagy. The Hurons, who will start freshman Quintan Kelly at quarterback will have a tough test against an experienced Alcona defense and a Tigers team that's hungry for a playoff spot at season's end.
New Atlanta coach Troy Cheedie and the Huskies won't have to wait long to see how good they might be as Atlanta faces Johannesburg-Lewiston on the road. Atlanta hasn't beaten the Cardinals since 1992 and senior signal caller Garrett Badgero and the Huskies will be looking earn a major win to open the year.
Posen begins another year of 8-man football and will open the season on the road at Cedarville. After a string of injuries gutted Posen's roster last year, the Vikings are healthy and aiming for another Bridge 8-man Football Alliance playoff spot.
Mio will face a tough Week 1 test as the Thunderbolts face Huron Shores powerhouse Whittemore-Prescott on the road.
Fact Box
As a reminder coaches can call in their scores on game days to The Alpena News at 358-5694 or 358-5690 or e-mail them to sports@thealpenanews.com.
Coaches can call in weekly stats, e-mail them or fax them to 356-1793.
Hillman travels to Gaylord St. Mary where the Tigers hope to put a good start on another winning campaign. Hillman has five winning seasons since 2006.
First-year Onaway coach Brian Whitsitt and the Cardinals host Inland Lakes and haven't been shy about their playoff aspirations as 10 juniors from a 7-1 Onaway JV team last season will get their first taste of varsity experience.