Straughn High School has a new football coach, John Higgins, at the helm as they Tigers prepare to open up the 2017 season.

The Tigers will start off the year with a preseason game at home against Red Level on Aug. 24.

The two schools meet last year for a preseason game, but haven’t played a regular season contest since 2009. Straughn holds a 19-12 lead over Red Level in the series.

Straughn will open up the regular season on the road against Brantley on Sept. 1.

Brantley holds an 8-5 lead in the series. Last year, the two teams met for the first time since 1997 and Straughn was able to pull out a 49-48 victory.

On Sept. 8, Straughn opens up Class 3A, Region 2 play when the make the short trip to Opp to take on the Bobcats at Channell-Lee Stadium.

Straughn currently holds a 10-7 lead in the series with Opp, but the Bobcats have won the last two meetings including a 55-32 last year in Straughn.

The Tigers will have their first regular-season home game on Sept. 15 when they host Providence Christian for a region contest.

This is the second meeting between Straughn and Providence Christian with Straughn winning last year’s contest 21-14.

On Sept. 22, Straughn hits the road to take on Wicksburg in the region match.

Straughn holds a 4-2 record over Wicksburg in the series, including a 35-34 win last year.

The Tigers will take a break the following week before getting back into region play at home against Geneva on Oct. 6.

Geneva has a 5-3 record against Straughn, and won last year’s game 28-12.

Straughn takes it back on the road on Oct. 13 when they take on Houston County for a region match up.

On Oct. 20, the Daleville Warriors come to Straughn for homecoming.

Straughn and Daleville are 3-3 in their previous matches with Daleville winning last season’s contest 48-37.

The Tigers will make one final regular-season game road trip when then take on Slocomb on Oct. 27 for a region contest.

Straughn and Slocomb are knotted 3-3 in the series with Slocomb winning last year’s game 47-27.

Straughn wraps up the regular season when they host Andalusia for senior night on Nov. 3.

Andalusia leads the series 14-4, including a 35-0 win last year in Andalusia.