FFN week one: Aiken ready to host Lakeside on Thursday night

AIKEN, SC (WJBF)- The high school football season is just a few days away, with one game featuring a cross-river matchup and some coaching ties. Aiken head coach Steve Hibbitts will be going up against his former team the Lakeside Panther's week one. The Hornets will host the Panthers this week, the two teams combined for just three wins last season with some of those being overtime losses, but it's a new year, with more returners and a new focus. "I'm extremely excited. They are really ready, and it's been fun to watch them grow in the last year and a half," Hibbitts said. "Starting with week one, just trying to do all the little things right to get that win. Last year we came up short within the last second of the game, multiple times, so I think doing the little things right, and just finishing out the game, really what we need to do," said quarterback Tanner Padgett. Kickoff set for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.