With the regions’ reconstruction this year, the Adairsville Tigers are anxious and excited about playing their old rivals, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes, on Oct. 26, the coach said.

Head football coach Jim Kremer said playing the ’Canes once again is the only significance to the new region for the Tigers.

“The difference of the two regions is not that great; however, rekindling an old rival such as Cartersville excites many people,” Kremer said.

The Tigers and the ’Canes have not met on the football field since Sept. 12, 2003, when Adairsville lost, 35-0. Just before that, the Tigers lost to the Canes in a much closer game in 2002, 14-7.

Adairsville hopes to have a much closer game than they did in 2003 against the Canes, but there is one problem the Tigers face this season which has nothing to do with any rivalry.

“Weakness — we are young,” Kremer said.

With 16 seniors, they are the smallest class on the team, with 26 juniors, 17 sophomores and 27 freshmen. The roster is almost split right down the middle with upper and lower classmen, but the Tigers don’t count themselves out of any game.

Even though the team may be young as Kremer said, there are some players who are stepping up and making plays for the team.

“We have some good players emerging as good leaders. Hiram Valez is a senior receiver and currently has 350 receiving yards. Dakota Hines is a junior, kicker and the best in northwest Georgia. Sophomore quarterback Marcus Childress has 550 passing yards and 200 rushing. Lastly, are two senior running backs, Andrew Ward who has the whole offensive line, and Kyle Adams who has the corner,” Kremer said.

These players help make it possible for the Tigers to play hard as a team even when the score is not leaning in their favor, which Kremer said is the team’s true strength.

The Tigers lost 33-27 to Cass in their opening game, but they regained their confidence and momentum in game two as they shut out Armuchee, 55-0 and beat Pepperell 21-14 Friday. With such a turnaround, Kremer said he feels his team is going in the right direction toward reaching their goal.

“Our goal from the beginning is to get better every week and I feel we have done this to this point,” he said. “We gave up too many big plays in the first game; however, I believe we have resolved this.”