There are numerous local football teams playing tough schedules this season. My vote for the toughest goes to Fort White, which has one of the most brutal early season slates I’ve seen in many years.

Check this out …

Following a preseason classic game against Columbia (which might be the area’s No. 1 team), five of the Indians’ first six games are at Madison County, home against Newberry, home against Union County, at 2008 Class 1A state champion Tallahassee North Florida Christian and at home against Tallahassee Florida High.

Those teams went a combined 49-11 last season. That’s an 81.7 winning percentage.

Most key for FWHS (9-2 in 2008) are the games against District 2-2B rivals Union County and Florida High. If the Indians can get by both of those foes (or even earn a split), they will be in great shape to earn a playoff berth.

It won’t be easy (yeah, call me Captain Obvious), but if Fort White can get in to the postseason, it might be more tested than any team in 2B. Not saying Demetric Jackson’s team can get by the Jacksonville Bolles, Ocala Trinity Catholics or Pahokees of the classification. But the Indians certainly won’t be intimidated.