Cairo's Jy'Kevian Cooper returns the ball in practice on Thursday.

THOMASVILLE — This year’s edition of the Battle for the Syrup Pitcher will be a contest between fresh newcomers and seasoned veterans.

Cairo’s young squad will visit the newly-renovated Veterans Memorial Stadium, taking on Thomasville for a rivalry matchup tonight at 8.

“There’s nothing better than a Thomasville-Cairo football game to bring everybody back in for one purpose,” Thomasville coach Zach Grage said. “To open this up officially, it’s very exciting but you’ve also got a little bit of anxiety because you’re so hyped up and ready for these kids to show what they need to do with the expectations that have been put forth this year.”

Those expectations come after a 5-5 turnaround season for the Bulldogs in 2016, and with seven returning starters on both sides of the ball. Thomasville fell to Cairo 23-12 last season, as the offense struggled. Last week, the Bulldogs beat Pelham 30-20 in their scrimmage, holding a 30-7 lead before the starters were pulled. To Grage, the difference since last year’s opening week has been drastic.

“It’s 180 degrees,” Grage said. “You get to that second year, and it’s so much easier. It’s easier to deal with the kids, it’s easier to deal with the coaches. Everybody knows what’s expected. This season the tables have turned a little bit and we’ve got to be ready to take everybody’s best shot.”

Last season, the Syrupmaker offense could not score an offensive touchdown against the Bulldogs. However, Cairo’s defense, led by a cast of seniors like current Georgia linebacker Walter Grant, was able to force turnovers and helped pull out the win at West Thomas Stadium. It was the first of 11 wins for the Syrupmakers, who went on to make a run to the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

Last week, Class 6A state champion Valdosta bested Cairo 24-0 in its scrimmage, and head coach Steve DeVoursney sees his team as a work in progress.

“We have to tackle better, block better and hold on to the ball better,” DeVoursney said. “They kind of exposed us everywhere.”

On offense, Cairo will be led by new starting quarterback Jackson Hand. Jamarcus Vicks returns from last year at running back, and new starters Jy’Kevian Cooper and Cameron Goosby will play at wideout. They will have to contend with a defense led by defensive back and Georgia Tech commit Charlie Thomas, as well as 2016 all-state linebacker Jeremiah Powell.

Thomasville’s offense, led by third-year starting quarterback JT Rice, will have a lot of returners. Receivers Kevon Shy and Tyler Knuckles, as well as running back Tan Gelin, are all back from last year.

“They’ve got a quarterback that’s really good that can throw the ball and run, and a good running back,” DeVoursney said. “They’ve got a lot of kids that do a lot of good stuff.”

The Bulldogs will face a new-look Cairo defense with two returning starters — senior safety Jamel Chin and senior linebacker Tahj Vicks. Despite all the new faces and supposed inexperience, Grage and the Bulldogs are not taking the Syrupmakers lightly.

“They’re starting seven seniors on defense,” Grage said. “It’s not going to be a JV team running out there. They’re going to be well coached — coach DeVoursney does a great job. They know how to win football games and get those kids to play. If nothing else, they will play hard, and we’ve got to weather the emotional storm of the first quarter and win in the fourth.”