Previewing Week 1 football

High hopes are carried into the stadiums this evening as most teams play their football openers. Keota and Quinton are the two Stigler News-Sentinel area teams opening their seasons at home. Both get even matchups to start the year. Here's a look at this week's games.

Stigler (1-0) at Hartshorne (0-1) 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Stigler 54, Westville 13; Kingston 21, Hartshorne 0.

Last meeting: Stigler 50, Hartshorne 19 (Sept. 2, 2016)

Notes: Against Westville, Stigler running back Garret Brooks started the season right with his eighth 200-yard game and third with four rushing touchdowns. Stigler has won the last five meetings with Hartshorne. Last week was the first time Hartshorne had been shut out since Nov. 10, 2010.

Keota vs. Oaks-Mission 7 p.m.

Last meeting: Oaks-MIssion 34, Keota 26 (Sept. 2, 2016)

Notes: Both teams are returning younger rosters following playoff trips last year. Keota went 8-4 and reached the second round of the Class B playoffs while Oaks-Mission went 6-5 and lost in the first round. Chaz Williams will start at quarterback for Keota in place of the injured Cash Long.

Quinton vs. Porter (0-1) 7 p.m.

Last week: Gore 18, Porter 6.

Last meeting: Porter 18, Quinton 6 (Sept. 2, 2016)

Notes: Porter won the last two meetings. Quinton is looking to improve after a 2-8 campaign in 2016. Porter went 5-5. Both were on the outside of the playoff picture with two district wins.

Porum at Webbers Falls 7 p.m.

Last meeting: Porum 50, Webbers Falls 38 (Sept. 2, 2016)

Notes: Porum came back to beat the Warriors last year after losing the previous two games to them. Last year, Porum went 4-6 while Webbers Falls was 5-6, winning its last five regular-season games before losing in the first round of the Class C playoffs. Both teams have experienced quarterbacks leading small rosters. Porum has junior Colt McMellon, who is in his second year as a full-time starter, under center. Webbers Falls is led by senior quarterback Tommy Coppin, who was their leading playmaker in 2016. Porum has 20 players while Webbers Falls will run out 16.