Pull up your bloomers grandma, High School football is one week away.

The fabulous sights, smells and sounds of fall Friday nights will finally be back, and there are a few questions which area teams, readers and fans will be asking themselves as players take the field Aug. 20.

1 — Who will take over the Mount Airy backfield?

We all know the Granite Bears have had some of the best running backs in the area over the past five years but with the graduation of Andy Temoney and Luke Wheeler this year everything behind senior quarterback Ben Hinson seems to be up in the air. Speaking prior to his team’s first contact practice, coach Kelly Holder said there are five players who could fill the two spots. Demetrius Rucker, North Surry transfer Terry Adams, Ty Simmons, Zaqwan Dobson and Garrett Boles are all in the running. It’s likely Rucker and Adams will take the first snaps against Starmount next Friday, but the question still remains if the Bears can equal the power their ground attack has provided in recent seasons.

2 — Can North Surry bounce back from a tough 2009?

The Greyhounds entered last season with a new coach who had less than ample time to implement his style and gel with his team. With a full year under his belt, coach Brian Hampton can only hope his team can stay healthy and claw its way back from a dismal 2009. Senior quarterback Tanner Hiatt is back after missing much of last season with injury, allowing speedy do-it-all senior Joston Phipps to return to his natural position at running back. The loss of Adams stings, but the Greyhounds are a year older, wiser and must be hungry to redeem themselves. With Hiatt back and Phipps free to run loose, teams who sleep on North Surry might be in for a rude awakening.

3 — Who can replace Hunter Diamont?

At times last season Diamont was the East Surry Cardinals only viable offensive threat. A bruising runner and defensive leader, who on Coach David Diamont’s squad can step up and fill the void left by one of the best players the Cardinals have had in recent years?

With no sure-fire suitor in the mix, the Cardinals might have to fill the gap by committee. Juniors Jordan Miller, Rayshawn Moore and Andrew Gosnell are likely to be in the Cardinals backfield along with Ryan Johnson, who will replace Diamont under center. Johnson doesn’t have the feet of Diamont, but with speedy wideout Andrew Hunter the Cardinals could have a potent weapon.

Bottom line, the East Surry offense will surely look different than it has in the past few seasons and fans in Pilot Mountain can only hope David Diamont and staff can pull another 10-win season out of their hats.

4 — Can Surry Central overcome exodus?

Surry Central returns just four starters on offense and must deal with the loss of Dave Wilmoth, Casey Felts and Shane Johnson. On defense Central has an even tougher assignment with just four players who saw ample time back in Dobson.

Coach Monty Southern must find leadership from a group of former underclassmen and unproven players who will now be thrown into the fire of Friday night lights.

The Eagles offensive hopes fall squarely on the ample shoulders of sophomore fullback Wes Brown. Younger brother of former Central standout Wilbert, Wes will carry much of the load for Southern and the Eagles “hambone” offense. At 6-1, 230 pounds, opposing defenses might be counting bruises for years to come from Brown’s rumbling runs.