The high school football season is starting to ramp up this week with another area region starting its region schedule.
Region 6-AA kicks off its region schedule Friday and the only area team in the region, Buford, opens the schedule with a trip to

Lovett, a rematch of the 2007 state title game that the Wolves won 50-0.
The Wolves still have one remaining game during the season against a non-region team, against Thomson on Oct. 16 at Tom Riden Stadium.

In Region 7-AAA, the schedule is still comprised of crossover games with teams from the North subregion facing teams from the South subregion. This week, Johnson visits Chestatee, East Hall plays host to Lumpkin County, Gainesville visits White County, Flowery Branch plays host to Creekview, and West Hall visits Gilmer. North Hall is off this week.

In Region 8-AAAA, Habersham Central visits Clarke Central on Friday in Athens. Banks County visits Dawson County, Jefferson visits Fannin County, Riverside Military goes on the road to Rabun County, and North Oconee plays host to Union County in Region 8-AA.

In Region 8-A, Lakeview Academy visits Hebron Christian. Non-region games include Commerce’s trip to Franklin County, and Towns County playing host to Copper Basin (Tenn.).

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have a week’s worth of games against NL Central opponents this week. Atlanta opens a three-game series at the Houston Astros on Tuesday. Then on Friday, the Braves visit the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game series.

In the series opener, Javier Vazquez (11-9, 3.18 ERA) will pitch for the Braves against Houston’s Felipe Paulino (2-7, 6.62). In his last outing on Sept. 2, Vazquez drew a no decision with five earned runs allowed against the Florida Marlins.

Then on Wednesday, Derek Lowe (13-9, 4.36) will be Atlanta’s pitcher against Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez (13-9, 2.82).

Gwinnett Braves

The Triple-A Gwinnett Braves open the Governors’ Cup Playoffs against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees with the first two games at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Gwinnett Stadium in Lawrenceville. The G-Braves are the winner of the wildcard spot from the International League’s Southern Division. The Durham Bulls are the division champion.

For the playoffs, the G-Braves will have 20-year old prospect Jason Heyward, the USA Today’s Minor League Player of the Year, who moved up from the Double-A Mississippi Braves. Heyward, the 14th overall pick in the 2007 Draft, will likely make his Major League debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2010.

College football

Georgia and Georgia Tech both have their conference opener at home this week. Coming off a 37-17 win against Jacksonville State last Saturday, the Yellow Jackets play host to Clemson at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

The Bulldogs open the SEC schedule by playing host to South Carolina at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sanford Stadium.