CAIRO – The Cairo Syrupmakers’ quest for a Region 1-3A championship next season will likely hinge on their ability to defend home field against the region’s top two teams from last season.

Cairo will host Peach County and Westover to end the season in what will likely determine playoff seeding and possibly the region title. The Syrupmakers’ home schedule next season also includes rival Thomas County Central to start the season, along with non-region opponents Kathleen, Cook, and Leon (Fla.). 

“Six home games, that’ll be good. It’s always good to play at home,” Cairo coach David Coleman said.

The Syrupmakers’ road trips next season include rival Thomasville and region games at Bainbridge, Monroe, and Dougherty.

Cairo’s bye weeks will occur before Central and before Bainbridge.

Cairo finished 6-5 last season and 3-2 in region play. However, the Syrupmakers dropped their final two region games at Peach County 48-17 and at Westover 29-10. It led to Cairo entering the playoffs as a No. 3 seed. It lost to Douglass 14-13 in the first round.

The Syrupmakers will also play two preseason scrimmages; one at home against Irwin County and the other on the road at Worth County.