The 2011 high school football season kicks off tonight with some real doozies.
There are three quality games in the Tri-Cities, as well as tough matchups featuring a pair of state runner-ups, plus some great rivalry games.
Chiawana, ranked No. 6 in the state by The Seattle Times, opens its season against Hanford at 7:30 p.m. at Fran Rish Stadium in Richland.
Riverhawks running back Jordan Downing and wide receiver Miquiyah Zamora lead a talented group against the Falcons, who are trying to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2010 campaign.
On the other side of the river, Richland -- which was picked to finish second in the CBBN 4A -- plays Pasco at 7:30 p.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium.
The Bombers are aiming for another state playoff berth. Quarterback Colter Quick and offensive lineman Dennis Christensen are back from a team that fell to Ferris in the first round in 2010.
Pasco features a new quarterback in TJ Avery, after former QB Zach Whitby transferred to Richland.
At Lampson Stadium, Kennewick begins life after Drew Loftus.
The Lions and Bryce Leavitt open with Pendleton at 7:30 p.m. Leavitt played wide receiver last season and has the task of replacing Loftus, the CBBN 3A MVP.
Outside the Tri-Cities, Kamiakin and Connell begin their quests to return to the Tacoma Dome.
The Braves, who lost to Bellevue 38-0 in last season's Class 3A state championship game, are at Prosser at 7:30 p.m. Reloaded Kamiakin is ranked No. 4 in The Seattle Times preseason rankings. Prosser has high expectations after being knocked out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals last season.
In Connell, the backyard brawl with Othello continues at 7 p.m. The Eagles have won six of the past seven meetings.
Connell, which lost 42-35 to Cascade Christian in the title game last season, is ranked No. 2 in the state and returns nearly everyone from last season, including record-setting running back Matt Hadley.
Othello is ranked No. 3 in the Tacoma News Tribune's rankings and returns CWAC leading rusher Caleb Garza.
In another rivalry game, new head coach Rick Ramos leads Grandview into Sunnyside at 7:30 p.m. The Grizzlies welcome back running back Steven Monterrey, who led the CBBN 3A in all-purpose yards last season.
Walla Walla plays host to Hermiston at 7:30 p.m. in the other local CBBN game.
In the smaller classifications, Royal will visit Cashmere at 7 p.m. The Knights fell twice to Cashmere last season, including in the first round of the playoffs.
And if you can get off work early, you might as well start your day off early with Irrigon at Tri-Cities Prep in Pasco at 3 p.m.
