Summer vacation ended a few weeks ago, but fall has yet to officially start.

Today, though, the fall season will feel much closer for some high school students.

The Pike Liberal Arts School Patriot football team will get its first chance to compete against another school when it travels to Grady to battle South Montgomery County Academy. The two will play a scrimmage game today at 5 p.m.

"We've worked hard this summer, hitting each other," Pike Lib head coach Mack Williams said. "It will be good for us to hit someone else."

SMCA is a 1A school just across the county line into Montgomery County. The Raiders finished last season as the AISA 1A runner up after losing in the championship game in Troy.

SMCA uses a spread offense and likes to throw the ball around. The Patriot pass defense will be tested in the scrimmage.

"We'll get to work on pass defense, if nothing else," Williams said. "This is probably the only team we'll face all year that likes to throw the ball like they do. But if we do face someone who passes the ball a lot, at least we will have seen it before."

Each team will get at least one 12-play possession in today's scrimmage. The team in possession can score several times in the 12 plays, but after the 12th play, the team will work on punting.

"There will be no rush," Williams said. "It's just to let you line up and get some work on it."

The Patriots will get another week to work on their 2003 game plan. They will play in the Hooper Academy jamboree Aug. 22.

The regular season opens Aug. 28 in Luverne against Crenshaw Christian Academy.