Six area teams get an early kickoff to the 2008 season with "Week 0" games. They include all Class A and B teams in the state along with a few others in the next four classes.
Hastings got things under way Thursday by playing at Columbus in the Discoverers Class B debut.
Here's a peak at the early football offerings for Friday involving area teams:
Grand Island Senior High at Kearney, 7 p.m.
Kearney has turned this into a lop-sided rivalry over the past decade.
But this year the Islanders have the experience advantage along with high expectations.
Getting a win over the Bearcats would be one big momentum boost to start the season.
G.I. has the firepower to get it done on offense, but don't expect Kearney to make it easy even if it only returns one starter.
GRAND ISLAND 21, KEARNEY 14
York at Northwest, 7 p.m.
Northwest starts off the season with one of only two games on its schedule against non-playoff teams from last year.
Both teams went 2-7 last year and would receive a huge boost getting the season-opening "W" in this one.
Experience and home field advantage should give the Vikings the edge in this one.
NORTHWEST 28, YORK 21
Adams Central at Seward, 7 p.m.
Adams Central starts its first Class B season against a team that went 6-4 and qualified for the playoffs last year.
With seven starters back, the Patriots have some experience but they won't have the depth that most Class B teams will have.
How will Adams Central fare in its move up? That's a mystery, but for this one the Magic 8-Ball says:
ADAMS CENTRAL 24, SEWARD 17
Aurora at Crete, 7 p.m.
Aurora kicks off its season against the two-time defending Class B champions.
The Cardinals only return three starters on offense and four on defense. But the Huskies only have five starters back themselves.
Defenses could be the strongpoint for the teams early in the season. Could this one turn into a defensive slugfest?
CRETE 21, AURORA 10
Gothenburg at Wood River, 7 p.m.
Wood River gets off to an early start and looks to improve on last year's 3-5 record.
The Eagles return four of five starters on the offensive line, which should lead them against the Swedes, who went 5-4 last year.
This shapes up as yet another potentially close game.
GOTHENBURG 24, WOOD RIVER 20
Dale Miller is a sports writer for The Independent.
