Prep football season kicks off Web-posted 9/4/97   For 10 years, through good seasons and bad, Ruth Pritchard has rooted for the Hephzibah High School Rebels. But never before tonight has a football game meant so much.

A tale of two coaches Web-posted 9/4/97   Tommy Macon and Gerald Barnes took different paths but have reached the same destination. Macon spent two years as defensive line coach at Georgia Southern before taking the head coaching job at Josey in April. Barnes will strap on the head sets for Westside in tonight's opener at Evans after serving as an assistant for the Patriots the past 22 years.

Georgia notes: Thomson looking strong Web-posted 9/4/97   On the eve of his fifth season at Thomson after a preseason clouded by off-field troubles, Bulldogs coach Butch Jacobs' hopes for a big year were brightened once again.

Lilly makes his pad as Trojans' assistant Web-posted 9/4/97   MONETTA -- When it comes to coaching football, Sam Lilly puts his heart, soul and guts into it. ``I would be miserable not coaching football,'' Lilly said. ``I like making a difference in these kids' lives.''

S.C. notes: two big matchups to choose Web-posted 9/4/97   Aiken County fans will have to choose between two super matchups tonight. North Augusta (1-0) travels to Midland Valley (1-0) in one clash and Aiken (0-1) is at Silver Bluff (1-0) in another 8 p.m. encounter.

Hawks could repeat Web-posted 9/3/97   To repeat as Region 4-AA champions, Washington County will have the added weight of carrying a target on their back. The Golden Hawks said they don't feel any extra pressure but realize every opponent is gunning to dethrone them.

Player of the Week: Kevin Smith Web-posted 9/3/97   The senior quarterback accounted for 186 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in his first varsity start at the position as North Augusta stunned Strom Thurmond 23-14 in the season opener for both squads. Smith rushed eight times for 85 yards and two scores and was 4-for-8 for 101 yards and one score

South Carolina prep poll Web-posted 9/3/97   COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Associated Press high school football poll by classification as selected by a panel of South Carolina sports writers, with school's name, record, number of first-place votes, total votes and final ranking in last year's poll.