For the second consecutive year, the Statesboro High School football team will kickoff its regular season with a matchup at the fourth annual Erk Russell Classic.
    The Classic, scheduled for Aug. 22 and hosted at Paulson Stadium, will feature the North Oconee Titans, Coffee County Trojans, Burke County Bears and the SHS Blue Devils. On Thursday, the coaches of the four teams selected to play in the Classic met with the media in a brief press conference to discuss the importance of the classic and what it meant to their respective programs.
    “This being our second year (in the Erk Russell Classic) we’re excited from the standpoint that we had a very trying year last year and we’re just ready to get things turned around,” said SHS head coach Steve Pennington during the press conference held at Heritage Bank in Statesboro. “We’re also excited to play in our backyard and the connections we have at Georgia Southern. We have an opportunity to play where champions played.”
    Statesboro will take on Burke County for the Classic, with a scheduled start time of 8 p.m. North Oconee will take on the Trojans at 5 p.m.
    Pennington is looking for a better start to the year than the season prior. The Blue Devils finished the season 2-8 last year with a 2-6 region record, including an opening 12-0 loss to Burke County.
    “I hope that our players are excited for this opportunity and at the same time it gives our local fans a chance to preview the season against quality competition,” Pennington said. “It’s a great opportunity for our guys.”
    SHS running back Mahlon Williams, who was also participated in the press conference, said he was excited for the team to prove themselves in the Classic.
    “It’s pretty fun to play on a big stage and the bright lights. Watching for so long, it’s pretty fun to get the chance to play (at Paulson Stadium),” said Williams — a two-year starter for the Blue Devils.
    Although Paulson Stadium is just a 10 minute drive away from Statesboro High School, Coach Pennington said there won’t be a particular advantage for his team being so close to home.
    The Blue Devils were 1-4 at home in the 2014-2015 season.
    “The only advantage is we can ride dressed to the stadium and that’s about it,” said Pennington, laughing. “Other than that, the quality of teams that are in the Classic definitely doesn’t give you any advantages. These programs are good programs and you have to come in ready to play.”
    The Erk Russell Classic was founded by the Eagle Football Alumni Association close to four years ago in honor of GSU coach Erk Russell.
    Isaac Ferrell, vice president of the EFAA, was on hand for the press conference Thursday.
    “We’re giving these high school kids the chance to play at a venue at the college level,” Ferrell said. “What we’re trying to do is have people support the schools and the program.”
    Russell is attributed as being the founder of GSU football in the “modern” era and starting many of the football program's storied traditions.
    Admission for the Classic will be $15 at the door, however, tickets will also be available at the schools participating in the annual event.
    The EFAA started a football scholarship through the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation called the Erk Russell Football Endowment. All proceeds from the Erk Russell Classic are donated to the Erk Russell Scholarship.

    Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.