The 2008 Laker football regular season schedule has been released and the Lakers start the season off August 30 on the road in the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic against Danville.

Head coach Bill Sharp and his staff are currently going through the opening weeks of practice.

The team is set to head to camp next week at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

The Lakers’ first opponent, Danville, went 9-3 last season and look to have a tough squad again this year, according to media reports.

The Lakers take on Danville in the second game of a doubleheader on August 30 at 8 p.m. The first game in the classic features Mercer County and Madison Central.

The Lakers play 10 consecutive weeks before their bye week in November.

After Danville, the Lakers host Casey County on Sept. 5, then travel to Pulaski County for a matchup with the Maroons on Sept. 12.

The Lakers travel to Franklin-Simpson on Sept. 19 and then host Logan County on Sept. 26.

The Lakers then hit the road for three away games on Oct. 3, 10 and 17 against Wayne County, Warren East and Somerset, respectively.

The Lakers return home for the final two games of the regular season on Oct. 24 and on Halloween night, Oct. 31, for games against Allen County-Scottsville and Adair County, respectively.

The Lakers should be more experienced this year and have several key players returning, including Senior Quarterback Bryon Ellis who has been nursing an injured shoulder this offseason.

Russell County hopes to rebound from a 3-8 record a year ago where they were defeated in the playoffs by Warren East, 49-7.