Every season there are games that football fans start talking about long before 7-on-7 camps and jamborees. As soon as schedules were released, these are games that should be circled, highlighted, and otherwise planned for weeks in advance.

We’re not talking about annual rivalry games like T.L. Hanna-Westside, Seneca-Daniel, or Elbert County-Hart County, because those games may or may not be close or exciting year in, year out.

These, though, should pack enough punch to keep you from waltzing in midway through the first quarter, or making a fourth quarter hot dog run.

BELTON-HONEA PATH AT CLINTON, WEEK 5, SEPT. 26

The Bears and Red Devils last met in 2005 — the last year with six-team regions — a 28-7 Clinton win. But the Bears won three straight from ’02-04 (9-7, 9-7, 14-0). Should be a hotly contested non-region game for Bears coach Wayne Green, a Clinton alumnus. The Bears should be 3-1 at this point after facing Laurens, Westside, Palmetto and Wren. And the 19 underclassmen expected to play big roles should have enough experience to give Bear Nation a barometer entering region play.

WESTSIDE AT GREENVILLE, WEEK 5, SEPT. 26

With Greenville leaving the Western AAA region, local fans won’t get the treat of watching the Red Raiders pass-happy offense against the likes of B-HP, Daniel and Seneca. Although it would have been nice to watch Lex Butler (if he wasn’t lost to injury) go against the Raiders’ receivers, the Rams should know enough about their secondary to make things interesting.

DANIEL AT PENDLETON, WEEK 5, SEPT. 26

These close neighbors ironically haven’t met since 1995 (Daniel 42-8), back when it was a semi-regular game on the schedule. But Pendleton coach Paul Sutherland, in his eighth season, decided to beef up his schedule, and couldn’t have picked a tougher AAA opponent. Still, Pendleton’s solid defense and ball-control offense could be enough to give the mighty Lions fits.

DORMAN AT HANNA, WEEK 5, SEPT. 26

Almost immediately after Kenya Fouch was hired in May, vocal supporters in Yellow Jacket Nation howled that Fouch couldn’t handle the likes of Gaffney and Dorman. Hanna plays them back-to-back — both at home — and should learn how it will fare in region play, especially against Greenwood. Dorman’s most noted player is 6-foot-4, 280-pound Brandon Thomas, a tight end/offensive lineman who is committed to Clemson.

HART COUNTY AT STEPHENS COUNTY, WEEK 5, SEPT. 26

Usually, this game garners buildup throughout the season. This time, though, it kicks off the Region 8-AAA season. And fans should be buzzing on both sides about the Ren Teasley transfer from the Hart backfield to Stephens. Stephens has won the last five meetings, and Hart’s only scored more than seven points once.