By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          Two teams are among the state’s most storied football programs.

          One team is among the state’s youngest programs, and another team has one of the area’s most veteran coaches.

          That’s part of what’s on tap Saturday at the Macon Touchdown Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.

          ACE and FPD get it started at 4 p.m., followed by Warner Robins and Valdosta.

          ACE is the newbie, by far, in the group. This is the Gryphons’ fourth varsity season.

          FPD? Started playing in 1973.

          Warner Robins? First game was in 1953.

Valdosta? Took to the field for the first time in 1913, as per the Georgia High School Football Historians Association.

          And FPD’s Greg Moore has seniority by a lot. Moore is starting his 22nd season leading the Vikings, and is 151-98. He has 18 years on ACE’s Jason Stephens, 19 on Warner Robins’ Marquis Westbrook and Valdosta’s Shelton Felton.

Gryphons, Vikings, Demons, Wildcats ready for TD Club Classic

          ACE is in its most prepared-to-play position since starting football, but the Vikings bring a quality defense and an offense with potential.

          Warner Robins is going for its fifth straight trip to the 5A state finals, third under Westbrook, and its second consecutive state title. Valdosta is in the GHSA doghouse for assorted violations under previous head coach Rush Propst, and had several players ruled ineligible.

          And the Wildcats are ineligible for the playoffs.

          There are other bragging rights than normal in the nightcap. Westbrook and Felton grew up together in Cordele and were teammates at Crisp County.

          Check out the interviews with Felton and Westbrook about the season and taking on a former teammate, and Stephens for ACE’s progress and playing on this stage against a veteran program.