CAIRO — The start of the regular season is still more than a week away. But the Cairo Syrupmakers are anxious to hit the field.

The Syrupmakers visit Thomas County Central on Friday night for a preseason scrimmage.

“You’re waiting for the season to get here, and it can’t get here fast enough,” veteran coach Steve Devoursney said.

Last week, the heat forced the Syrupmakers inside to the gym for a day, and they battled through the heat for a quick picture day Friday at West Thomas Stadium. In between, the work they put in met with their coach’s satisfaction.

“We had a good week of practice, I felt like,” he said.

Last year’s scrimmage with Thomas County Central was called off at halftime because of inclement weather. Friday’s night forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms and a 40 percent chance of precipitation.

Place kicker Noah Jones was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s preseason all-Class AAAA team. Cairo opens the 2019 season August 23 at Thomasville and hosts defending Class AAAAA state champ Bainbridge in the home opener Aug. 30.