It could be argued that the ECI Bulldog football team could have one of the strongest, if not the strongest, schedules this season. The Bulldogs begin the season with six non-region games. Five of those six teams are ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes. Throw in region opponent McIntosh Co. later in the season and ECI will be playing six teams who enter the season ranked in the top 10 by AJC and GPB sports.
This Friday, the Bulldogs will face Metter who is ranked at 8 eight in pre-season polls. The Tigers lost to eventual state champion Prince Avenue in the semis in 2022. Metter most likely will drop out of the top 10 after losing to number two Swainsboro Friday night.
The Bulldogs will host number seven ranked Lincoln Co. in the home opener. Ranked at the same position in 2022, the Red Devils lost to ECI last season. Lincoln also had a hiccup Friday losing at home against Bryan Co.
Dublin returns to Rountree the next Friday night and are right behind Metter, ranked at number eight. The Tigers eliminated the Irish in the playoffs last season.
The Bulldogs will travel up the road to face Swainsboro on September 19. The Tigers were ranked at number two at the end of last season and remain at that position when the 2023 season begins.
The sixth ranked Trojans will visit Twin City the next Friday night. The Bulldogs and Trojans played to a tie last season with JOCO winning in overtime.
The only ranked team the Bulldogs will face in region play is McIntosh Co. The Buccaneers begin the season at number 10.
Schley Co. begins the season as the top team in class A division II. The Wildcats have one of those loaded teams that come around to smaller schools from time to time. Four players from the Schley team were named as pre-season all-state, including highly recruited linebacker Zayden Walker who was named as best player in division II. The Wildcats also have Jay Kanazawa at quarterback who threw for 35 touchdowns last season.
