There is one of two places for Gamecock fans to be Friday night.
Unfortunately, for me anyway, it is not possible to be in both.
You may head to the Mill Creek Complex in Statesboro supporting the SCHS Lady Gamecock softball team of Billy Pollock. They have 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. games to open play in the Battle in the Boro Tournament. The second one is against the same Savannah Christian Lady Raider squad they just defeated for the Warrior Blast Tournament title last Saturday night.
You may, however, stay home and head to Kelly Memorial Stadium for the football lidlifter against the Effingham County Rebels. Good, bad or otherwise, that is what most folks will do. 
I already have predicted -- which means absolutely nothing -- that tomorrow night should be the largest crowd at the old stadium since the 2002 Class AA state championship game. 
Most of you will be at Kelly to see the new coach and the spread out version of the Wing-T.  Heck if you went down to Marlow (I always write that, but their mailing address is Guyton) on Saturday morning after the light show Friday evening, you even saw some shotgun. 
“Praise the Lord” said some of you when you saw passes go downfield for 20-plus yard gains on numerous occasions, not all of them on third-and-19. 
Personally, I am still for whatever gets the ball in the end zone. 
I am figuring on lots and lots of the good folks from the metro Springfield area coming to pay their good money to the coffers of the Screven County Athletic Department Friday night as well. They have some things they want to see as well. Let’s go ahead and get some money in the bank for what I am hoping will be trips to Columbus by both the Lady Gamecock softball team and the Lady Gamecock cheerleading squad. 
But then there I go counting those chickens.
Speaking of last weekend, the gridiron Gamecocks overcame some stumbling and bumbling, not to mention some first-half penalties to dominate the third quarter against their South Effingham hosts.
That was all it took.
Speaking of last weekend, the softball Lady Gamecocks overcame some spotty infield play in the Warrior Blast semifinal game to reach the tournament championship and defeat an old nemesis, the Savannah Christian Lady Raiders 2-0. Coming in, SCHS owned a 2-13 lifetime record against SCPS (can you name the two pitchers who own shutout victories over those Lady Raiders?). Tomorrow night our Red and Whites get another shot at their Red and Whites.
How good were the Mustangs of South Effingham? 
I believe that we were bigger, stronger and faster. 
Based on the number of cramps on the home side, I also believe that we were in the better shape as well. There is no doubt in my mind, despite the fact that the ‘Stangs of Greg Manior of the past three years defeated the Rebs of Jack Webb, that the Rebels who roll in here Friday night are better than the SEHS team we saw Saturday morning.
The mistakes of the first half truly showed the need for the scrimmage itself. Hang it up on the wrong side if those same mistakes come against ECHS tomorrow night. Unlike the NFL preseason, the preseason of last week was oh so meaningful.
Do not, however, come to the stadium looking to lose.
How good was the competition at the Warrior Blast Tournament in Glennville? 
Maybe not as tough as originally perceived, but still better than playing some other local schools. But then, Metter, who fell to SCHS 14-3, went on the tournament semifinals (out of 15 teams). 
Tattnall County, who fell to SCHS 6-0, was a state tournament participant a year ago. Vidalia and SCPS -- nuff said.
Was there an early Christmas present that broke Vidalia’s heart (you had to be there)? Maybe so, but we still had our at bat, right? Maybe we were just better.
Anyway, cross country, with a tough row to hoe this year, cranked up on Tuesday against some stiff competition. All that is left is for the cheerleaders to compete.
See you tomorrow night.

Burton Kemp Jr. is a contributing writer to the Sylvania Telephone.