Local MHSAA football teams can play in a scrimmage with an opponent Friday ahead of the regular season opening on Sept. 4.

The scrimmage allows for two varsity quarters with schools also able to play two additional quarters with their junior varsity.

Brookhaven High will host Madison Central on King Field for a JV scrimmage that begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a varsity scrimmage that will start at 6:30 p.m.

Madison Central is a traditional 6A title contender that finished 9-3 last season. The Jaguars are coached by former Loyd Star and Franklin County head coach Anthony Hart.

Brookhaven High starts its regular season on Sept. 4 by hosting another tough 6A school in the Petal Panthers.

Loyd Star and coach Brian Ford will host a familiar foe as their county and Region 7-2A rivals from West Lincoln will visit for a 7 p.m. scrimmage.

Ford and West Lincoln head coach Brad Bland will surely keep things basic as they’ll meet again in the regular season on October 16.

West Lincoln and Loyd Star are both at home when the season opens on Sept. 4 hosting Sacred Heart and Salem respectively.

The Bogue Chitto Bobcats are hosting the Pisgah Dragons from Rankin County for a 7 p.m. scrimmage matchup on Troy Smith Field.

The 2A Dragons were 8-4 last season and won games over Bogue Chitto and Loyd Star. Coach Gareth Sartin and his Bobcats will host Resurrection Catholic in their season opener on Sept. 4.

The only other area school playing in a scrimmage Friday is Wesson. The Cobras and coach Jeremy Loy will make a quick trip up Hwy. 51 to take on the Crystal Springs Tigers on the road.

Wesson opens its regular season on Sept. 4 at Mize.

Crystal Springs — coached by Tim McNair — beat Wesson 19-12 last season in the opener for both teams.

Rain and lightning are also a threat this Friday as forecasts call for an 80% chance of storms.