Holding onto a 6-1 record after having their away game rained out in Charleston last week, the Hinesville Hurricanes are prepping to battle the Tri-County Panthers Saturday at 7:30.

The team will celebrate the start of the new school year by giving away 10 new backpacks.

The backpacks were made available through a donation by the Wal-Mart in Hinesville. According to Hurricane head coach James Sharp, the Stanley D. Highsmith Foundation donated a bicycle and Bath and Bodyworks donated a gift basket, which will also be offered during the raffle throughout the game. Other prizes might be offered as well.

Sharp said the local boy scouts will set up popcorn concessions and will offer coupons for Papa John’s Pizza.

"We want the fans to enjoy themselves as well as the players," coach Sharp said.

The ‘Canes are celebrating a prosperous season, staying on top their division in the Southeastern American Football League.

The last time the ‘Canes played the Panthers the home team won 41-14. As it stands the ‘Canes can hold first round bye in the playoffs and host the second round of playoffs at Long Bell Stadium on Sept. 5.

But between now and then the ‘Canes need to focus on the last three opponents; the Panthers tonight, traveling to Middle Georgia to face the Pitbulls on Aug. 15 and heading to Charleston on Aug. 22 for a makeup game against the Hawks which was rained out last week.

"The coaches are doing an outstanding job," Sharp said. "We have to focus on the positive and put the negative behind us and look forward to making the championship round."

Admission Saturday is $6, children 12 and under are free. The game is at Long Bell Stadium at Liberty Independent Troop Park, off Highway 84 next to the National Guard Armory. Extra raffle tickets will be sold for $2 each. Only ticketholders are eligible to win prizes.