SWEET WATER &8212; Today, last year&8217;s 1A champions will get on a bus headed to their preseason jamboree. Once they arrive at their destination, the Sweet Water High School Bulldogs will face two halves of play against two teams they are more likely than not to see again, not during the regular season but battling in the playoffs, as they attempt to retain their title as the best team in the state.

The team will disembark from their bus in Maplesville to face Maplesville High School and Brantley High School. Each team will match up with the others for one half of play, in which three of the highest ranked and most talented programs in 1A football will feel out their teams and the post-season competition before heading into their regular seasons.

Luker said today&8217;s jamboree is a way for the three schools to promote 1A football in the state, while at the same time providing their fans with the opportunity to scout top teams they could face again later in the season. He said the game gives the coaching staffs the same opportunities, and allows them to see how new players adjust when put in games against top talent in the state.

Along with giving coaches a taste of what&8217;s to come and coming players can contribute, the jamboree allows the coaching staffs to step back and see how cohesive a team is as a complete unit. Luker said the game is a great supplement to the Bulldog&8217;s summer and preseason practices in analyzing the group&8217;s progress.