LAURINBURG — The first Scotland High varsity contest is still more than a month away, but fans can already begin circling key matchups on their calendars as the school released its fall sports schedule Tuesday.
The Fighting Scots football team, led by coach Richard Bailey, will take the gridiron on Aug. 21 for its season-opener against South View.
The Scots finished 12-2 last season, winning the Southeastern Conference championship for the fourth straight year after defeating rival Richmond Senior in the winner-take-all finale. After scoring victories in its first two playoff games, Scotland was defeated by Hoggard in the quarterfinal round.
The Scots will play five of their next six games away from Pate Stadium after the opener, including challenging road trips to Independence on Aug. 28, New Hanover on Sept. 18, and Panther Creek on Sept. 25.
Scotland travels to Pembroke to play Purnell Swett in its first SEC game on Oct. 9, then hosts Pinecrest the following week. The Scots end the regular season Nov. 6 at home against the Raiders.
The first round of the playoffs is scheduled for Nov. 13, and the state championship game will take place on Dec. 11 or 12.
Scotland volleyball, with coach Molly Hayes at the helm, opens the year against Cape Fear on Aug. 17. The Scots will play three games in as many days to open the year, hosting Whiteville on Aug. 18 then traveling to Southern Lee on Aug. 19.
Scotland placed second in the SEC last season and finished 13-11 overall before dropping its first round playoff match to Ragsdale.
The Scots play Purnell Swett on Sept. 10 in the SEC opener, then hosts three non-conference opponents before delving into the heart of conference play at the tail end of September. Defending SEC champion Pinecrest visits Laurinburg on Sept. 15, and Richmond comes to town on Sept. 24.
Senior Night will take place Oct. 13 in a home match against Lumberton, and Scotland ends the regular season at Richmond Oct. 15.
The SEC tournament is scheduled for Oct. 19-23, and the first round of the playoffs will begin Oct. 24. The state championship is set to take place Nov. 7.
Scotland boys soccer is coming off an 8-11 campaign under coach Danny Gallagher and a fourth-place finish in the SEC.
The Scots are set to open the year Aug. 17 away from home against Cape Fear, then return to Laurinburg the following day to host Pine Forest in the home-opener.
Scotland plays Purnell Swett in its first SEC game Sept. 16 before facing Richmond for the first time on Sept. 30 at home. The Scots host Lumberton Oct. 19 for Senior Night, then travels to play the Raiders in the season finale on Oct. 21.
The SEC tournament is scheduled for Oct. 26-30, and the first round of the postseason begins Nov. 4. The state championship game will be played Nov. 20 or 21.
The cross country team is coming off a successful stint last year under coach Greg Wrape, who guided the boys to a second-place finish in the SEC behind perennial power Pinecrest. The Scots open the year Sept. 8 in a meet hosted by Hoke.
Scotland will welcome its competition to St. Andrews for two meets — Sept. 22 and Oct. 13. The SEC meet is scheduled for Oct. 20.
Coach Atondra Ellis takes the reins of the girls tennis team after exclusively coaching the boys last year. The Scots’ schedule features a slate filled with only conference games, the first coming Sept. 3 at Purnell Swett.
Scotland plays defending conference champion Pinecrest Sept. 8 in Laurinburg, and hosts Richmond Sept. 17. Senior Night festivities will place Oct. 6 in a home match against Lumberton, and the Scots conclude the season at Richmond Oct. 8.
Former girls tennis coach Mike Way will now direct the boys golf team, and his club begins its season Sept. 8 at Bayonet golf course in Raeford. The Scots’ lone home match will take place Sept. 21 at Scotch Meadows Country Club.
The girls golf regional championships are scheduled for Oct. 19-20, and schools will tee off at the state championships Oct. 26-27.
Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.