*Doug Hawley*

Although Gordon Central High’s winless football team has struggled through three games, it optimistically faces a “new season” starting Friday at home against Southeast Whitfield. This 7:30 p.m. clash at Ratner Stadium kicks off the Region 7-AAAA league campaign for both teams.

“It’s a new season,” first-year Warriors’ head coach Chad Fisher emphasized Monday. “Those other three really didn’t matter. It’s where you stack up in your region. We feel that we match up real well with Southeast.”

Southeast has only played one regular season game. That resulted in a disappointing 21-20 loss last week to Hillgrove of Powder Springs which is in its second season of varsity ball.

In the scheduled season opener, the Raiders trailed powerful Cass 21-0 during the second quarter. Inclement weather forced cancellation – with no replay slated.

Central has been outscored 110-14 in the three losses to teams representing three different classifications – including Adairsville (7-AA North, 38-14), Woodstock (5-AAAAA, 30-0); and Cass (6-AAA, 42-0) last week.

However, Central shows 13 consecutive wins over Southeast – including last year’s narrow 25-23 victory. It leads the series 13-2-0.