We're back. It seems like only a few days ago we were making the drive back from the Georgia Dome after Calhoun's close loss to Buford in the AA finals.

I'll be honest with everyone. I don't expect the Gridiron crew to return to the Dome this year. Not because we don't want to go, but I don't see a local team reaching the finals this season.

We can argue that point in a later blog, but for now I want to give my impressions and thoughts after two weeks of preseason games.

Biggest Surprise: Trion's thumping of Chattooga definitely surprised me. It could be a tough rebuilding year for the Indians. I predicted in our spring show that Trion could be a surprise team in Region 6A. We'll know more about the Bulldogs after Friday's game against Armuchee.

Model's resurgence?: No doubt the Model players had a rough summer full of tough workouts. I expect the Blue Devils to be better this year. Granted thumping Mt. Zion isn't that impressive, but with Lynn Hunnicutt on the sidelines Model could flirt with a .500 record this season.

Teams to watch this week: We've got some great early-season games this week which could give us an idea as to how good some of our local teams may be. Here are a few I'm going to keep an eye on:

• Trion at Armuchee: The Indians looked sluggish against Gordon Central and the Bulldogs looked great against Chattooga. This game has been close the last two or three times these teams played, so it could be a good one. Whichever team wins gets a big confidence booster to start the season.
  
  
• Adairsville at Ridgeland: The Tigers have been touted by a lot of fans as being a factor in the Region 7-AA South race this year. Ridgeland is my favorite to win Region 7-AAA, so this could be a great matchup.
  
  
• Calhoun at Dalton: This game has had some tight finishes two of the last three years. Watch for another tight finish here as both teams are hoping to post undefeated seasons.
  
  
• Pepperell at Cartersville: The Dragons are hoping to prove they're back and aim to be the front runners for the Region 7-AA South crown. Cartersville is trying to prove they can be a state power again. A win here will be some validation for either team.
  
  
• Darlington at Sonoraville: The Tigers want to show everyone the 2009 campaign was no fluke. I think Sonoraville could be primed to be one of the top three teams in Region 7-AA North this season. Both teams would love to get the early win.

None of these are region games, so they shouldn't have any bearing on the playoffs. However, we should start to see an interesting picture of which of our local teams might be the best in 2010.

Don't forget to watch the Gridiron Central preview show on Thursday and go to our high school pick-em contest to pick which teams you think will win.

Jim Alred is the New Media Director for News Publishing Company and creator and producer of Gridiron Central, the first newspaper produced vodcast to ever earn a Southeast Regional Emmy nomination. Jim has covered high school sports in Florida, Alabama and Georgia for the last 16 years.