CAIRO — The Cairo Syrupmakers released their 2020 football schedule and one thing stands out — no more long road trips; at least not until playoff time.

Following region realignment by the Georgia High School Association in November, 2019, the Syrupmakers stayed in Region 1-AAAA but are now joined by Bainbridge, Dougherty, Monroe, Thomas County Central and Westover. The Syrupmakers no longer have to travel to Columbus to compete in a region game. Their longest region road trip will be to Bainbridge, one of their fiercest rivals.

Cairo only has two non-region games on the road, at Brooks County on Aug. 28 and at Pelham on Sept. 18. 

“We’ve got some really good teams on our schedule, don’t have to travel far. Hopefully, more people will come to the games. I know we’ll travel well wherever we go,” Cairo coach Steve Devoursney said. “I think it’s a great schedule. We’re excited about next year.”

Cairo’s other non-region games include three teams from last year’s Region 1-AA; at home against Fitzgerald on Aug. 21, at Brooks County and then home against Thomasville on Sept. 4.

“It’s going to be tough. What’s good and bad is that they’re well coached. They’re going to make us be on our ‘A’ game as coaches, which is what you want,” Devoursney said. “You want people that are going to test you and people that are going to make you think. When playoffs get here, you’re ready to go and region. I think it’s good for us that all those teams are really well coached. You’re going to have to be sharp every week to compete with them.”

After a visit from Chiles High School (Fla.) on Sept. 11, Cairo will visit Pelham for its final non-region game. The Hornets finished 11-2 last year and lost to Marion County in the semifinal round of the Class A Public playoffs. Pelham has been winning and putting up a lot of points since Dondrial Pinkins took over as head coach in 2015.

“Coach does a great job down there. They’ve been winning every year since he’s been there,” Devoursney said. “It’s going to be a tough game for us, too. We go there this year, which will be fun for our fans since it’s just 15 minutes down the road. I think more people are talking about that game than any other one right now.”

After its first bye week on Sept. 25, Cairo will open its region schedule on Oct. 2 at Bainbridge. Following a visit from Monroe the following week, Cairo will be off on Oct. 16 before visiting Thomas County Central on Oct. 23. Dougherty and Westover will close out Cairo’s schedule at West Thomas Stadium the final two weeks of the season.

2020 schedule

Aug. 14 at Mitchell County (scrimmage)

Aug. 21 vs. Fitzgerald

Aug. 28 at Brooks County

Sept. 4 vs. Thomasville High

Sept. 11 vs. Chiles (Fla.)

Sept. 18 at Pelham

Oct. 2 at Bainbridge

Oct. 9 vs. Monroe

Oct. 23 at Thomas County Central

Oct. 30 vs. Dougherty

Nov. 6 vs. Westover