Three area high school football teams will host home openers tonight, including Franklin High School, which is playing a scrimmage against Smithfield.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Armory Stadium.

Last year’s quarterback, senior Trey Kegler, will start again for the Broncos, who were 8-2 last season.

“He’s made great strides this year,” said Head Coach Darren Parker. “He was looking very good in camp.”

Backup quarterback will be senior Melkyan Mitchell, who played last year in that position as well as tailback.

Parker said he has a “host” of players in running back positions.

“If I had to start naming them, you would have a long sheet,” he said. “It’s great (having so many). We run a very fast-paced offense.”

Parker expects Smithfield to be tough, but he always plans to win.

“They are a very well disciplined team and the staff runs a great program,” he said. “They have a lot of size and athletic ability. This will be a great scrimmage.”

Southampton Academy

Southampton Academy will host Hampton Christian High School at 7 p.m. in a non-conference game.

“We had a competitive game with them last year,” said Head Coach Dale Marks. “I know they lost some key seniors, but I’m not sure if they got any new kids.”

Marks says his Raiders, who started camp on Aug. 2, are ready.

Sophomore newcomer Rashodd Maxy, who moved here from Blacksburg, and junior Wesley Barnes will share the

duties at quarterback.

“They’ve both been working out at quarterback,” Marks said. “It’s really just a toss up. Wesley is a little quicker than Rashodd, but Rashodd has more size.”

Running backs are expected to be 6-foot, 228-pound senior John Hinkle and 5-foot-9, 220-pound senior David Bogese.

On defense, 5-foot-10, 193-pound senior Will Edwards will start at middle linebacker.

“Will has been one of the harder hitters,” Marks said.

Isle of Wight Academy

The Virginia Independent Schools Division 2009 state runner-ups Isle of Wight Academy will host Bishop Sullivan Catholic at 7 p.m.

IWA Head Coach Dale Chapman said he expects a tough game.

“They’ve recruited in a new quarterback, and their offense has got some veteran players on the team,” Chapman said. “Besides that, they are in a higher division.”

Chapman, who has led the Chargers to five state championships and a 117-69 record during his 17 years at the helm, has a younger, more inexperienced team this year. He lost eight seniors to graduation from a team that was 11-1 last season, and only has three seniors on this year’s squad.

Chapman expects to put first-year starter, junior Bill Epps, at quarterback.

“I expect him to be successful,” Chapman said. “Nerves might come into play. He knew (he would be playing) and did everything in the off-season that I could ask of him.”

Running the ball will be 6-foot, 190-pound senior Charles Keyt. Five-foot-11, 185-pound junior Greg Chaffer will be in the fullback position.

Keyt and Chaffer also will serve as linebackers. Other linebackers, who have limited playing time, will be 5-foot-8, 190-pound sophomore Zeb Warnick and 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior Georgie Smith.

“We’re gonna be ready,” Chapman said. “Coming to Isle of Wight is always tough for any team. Our home fans are fanatical. We have a great home base.”