High school football is finally back.

For some AHSAA teams, there will be jamboree games Friday night, which are the unofficial start to the season. For AISA teams, Friday marks the real first game of the season.

The Marengo Academy Longhorns travel to South Choctaw Academy on Friday night to take on the Rebels.

This game may not attract the attention of many people outside of each school, but for both programs, it could mean a new beginning.

The Longhorns finished the 2011 campaign with a 2-8 record, and the Rebels ended the season with just one win, going 1-9.

The 2012 season offers a fresh start for both programs, and the winner of this game will be off to a good start.

“The first game of the season is always exciting for everybody,” said Marengo Academy Head Coach Robby James. “We have been practicing hard and everybody’s ready. South Choctaw has a new coach this season, and we know they’re going to be tough. They have a lot of speed.”

Marengo Academy won last year’s contest by a score of 24-20 to notch one of their two wins. South Choctaw won the 2010 meeting by a score of 35-23.

Demopolis High School and Sweet Water High School will face off in a jamboree game in Sweet Water Friday night as well. Both schools are looking forward to this game, and getting back out on the field.

Sweet Water moved up to Class 2A this year from Class 1A and will look to continue their winning ways in the new classification.

Demopolis is a very young team this season and lacks depth at some positions, but Head Coach Tom Causey has been working hard this off-season to get his team ready.

These two schools have a good working relationship, and this game will help both teams prepare for the start of the regular season Aug. 31.

Linden will travel to Pickens County for what, on paper, is a high-profile matchup. Linden enters the season ranked no. two in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll for Class 1A, and Pickens County comes in ranked no. six.

Marengo High School also travels to Millry to take on the Wildcats for their jamboree matchup.