THOMASVILLE — The War of the Border game is the ganache sprinkled on top of many football players’ final seasons in more ways than one.

“If nothing else, it’s a second chance to play football one more time,” said Thomasville coach Leroy Ryals, the coach for the Georgia side. “It’s also a way to reward these dedicated men, to give them one more game.”

The three separate games, one for each region of the border, is played between Florida and Georgia, starting with the western region Friday night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Mack Tharpe Stadium in Moultrie.

It also provides a second chance to get the student-athletes a coveted offer to play college football.

That’s what really amps up Mike Gammons about the War of the Border games.

“In a three-hour span, a scout can see 100 kids on the same level,” said Gammons, who is in his seventh year as liaison for the Georgia side. “You can tell if someone can play on the next level because everyone is playing on the same level.”

Eleven local players will take part, all of whom had their names submitted by their coach to play in the game.

“If these boys end up getting an offer, great,” Gammons said. “If they don’t, their last game was an all-star game.”

Last year, Gammons said, Thomasville’s Mario Cherry was offer-less heading into the game.

“He got not one offer, but two offers,” Gammons said. “And now he’s playing college ball at Fort Valley State.”

The players participating this year are Brookwood quarterback Kullen Wells; Cairo offensive lineman Jeremiah Hill and tackle Andre Hadley; Thomas County Central defensive backs Devon Drew and Cameron Drew, linebacker Jared Eaton and defensive end Matthew Prather; and Thomasville defensive back Forenza Chatmon, linebacker Andrew Robinson, punter/kicker Lucas Haaren and offensive lineman Allen Robinson.

They’re joined by 59 other players from Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, Brooks County, Christian Charter, Colquitt County, Fitzgerald, Lee County, Miller County, Mitchell County, Monroe, Pelham, Tift County, Westover and Worth.

Practices have run all week for the young men, who will all have playing time Friday night. The Florida team practiced at Florida State University School and the Georgia side at the Tom White Field.

“It’s a challenge to get them all on the same page,” Ryals said. “But what a lot of people don’t realize is these players haven’t played a game in over a month. It’s tough to get them in the (football) mode that fast.”

The last of the local teams to play a football game was Cairo, which ended its season in the second round of the playoffs, Nov. 21.

Ryals said practice has been going “real well” and all of the athletes have had great attitudes. He pointed out four players from Americus who have made the one-and-half hour trip to Moultrie every day this week for practice.

“The idea is to try and get as many reps as you can to get the best on Friday,” Ryals said.

The Georgia team won, 16-13, last year, breaking Florida’s two-year hold on the bragging rights.

“Florida vs. Georgia football, it’s always exciting,” Gammons said. “It’s a knock down, drag out game.”

And for Ryals, even though he’s coached in many an all-star game, there’s still another exciting aspect.

“Every time you do it, it’s exciting because you get to meet other young men,” Ryals said. “You get to create relationships with these men.”

The cost for admittance is $10 and $5 for students. All that money goes back into future games to help offset the cost of jerseys, socks and other various expenses. The Colquitt County Packers will be honored at halftime for their AAAAAA state championship.