Braves to kick off season with “The Pulpwood Classic”

Even though the new state football classification realignment saw the Braves top rival move up to AAA, all is not lost as the two teams will open the season against one another on August 25 at Callaway Stadium in Lagrange.

Embarking on a new tradition in the long-standing rivalry, the two teams will compete each year in a new rivalry game which will be known as “The Pulpwood Classic.”

Braves coach Tim Barron and Cavs Coach Pete Wiggins are in the process of purchasing a very special trophy which the winning school will get possession of for the entire year leading up to the next match-up.

The game will also be special this year in that it will take place on a Saturday night one week before most other schools begin regular season play. This should result in a big crowd as a lot of neutral football hungry West Georgia area fans will be attending.

After the Pulpwood Classic, the Braves will have a bye week on the schedule before opening up at home versus Chattooga (7-AA) on September 7.

On September 21, the Bremen Blue Devils will arrive at Staples Stadium to kick-off the Region 5-AA schedule. The new look 5-AA region will consist of Bremen, Bowdon, Temple, Manchester, Kendrick, Spencer, Jordan, and Chattahoochee County.

Coach Barron negotiated a buy-out deal with all three of the Columbus schools which should please the pocketbooks for the Brave Nation faithful.

Thanks to the deal the Braves will only travel for three road games this season and two of those will be very short trips to Callaway and Bowdon in the season finale. With gas prices where they are this should be a huge benefit to Braves supporters.

The region should be extremely competitive especially among the five northern teams. “On any given Friday night Bremen, Bowden, Temple, or Manchester can beat anyone in the region. We are returning nearly all of our starters so our expectations are high and our goal is to win Region 5-AA and secure a top seed in the state playoffs,” stated Barron.

With the departure of AA powerhouses Buford and Carver the state playoff hopes have brightened for all AA teams although the defending champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets will be a dominant force as usual.

Barron thinks one of the keys to this season could be the Senior class. “Even though the Senior class will still be small in numbers, it is a hard-working group of kids with a lot of leadership skills and tremendous work ethic which should boost us in a big way.” Barron added.

The line will be one of the biggest and strongest in years with the return of starters Dalton Pate, Corey Freeman, Jake Edwards, and Jace Mock who have all made great strides in the weightroom.

Brave athletes both male and female have shown a lot of drive and effort during workouts this summer.

In preseason action the Braves will battle Haralson County on the road on August 17.

“Meet the Braves” night will be on Thursday August 16. Anyone interested in a personal or business ad in the football program should contact Krysti Edwards at (678)378-6201 or email edwards1992@bellsouth.net.

For season ticket information you may call Mandy Stephens at (706)594-2916. Tickets at the gate will be $7 each for all regular season home games.

The Braves official practices will begin on July 25. Please come out and support your Braves football team in what will be an exciting season start to finish!