Dalton Ryan powers down the sideline for a gain during practice. The Lions play the first of four preseason scrimmages beginning Friday at home against Middle Tennessee Christian at 7 p.m.

The start of the high school football season is two weeks away but the Cannon County squad will know a lot about itself before then.

The Lions will play the first of four preseason scrimmages against Middle Tennessee Christian at Schwartz Field Friday at 7 p.m. The Lions also scrimmage Jackson County (Tuesday), Warren County (Thursday) and they play Davidson Christian in a jamboree at Watertown (Aug. 11).

“We will know a lot about ourselves and what works for us as well as what needs improvement,” said Cannon County first-year Head Coach Brent Bush. “This will give us a chance to see the players under the lights in game situations and that’s the best evaluation.”

Cannon County has spent a great deal of the summer and start of preseason practice changing offensive schemes from the spring after quarterback Ryan Jordan transferred to Eagleville during the summer. Jordan was a rising junior who threw for almost 1,800 yards as a sophomore.

Senior Cody Petro and sophomore Jake Todd are the chief contenders for the job and it could be that Cannon County employs a two-quarterback system in 2012.

“Cody and Jake have been working hard and they each give us a different dimension,” Bush said. “They both are getting reps and will have a role in what we do offensively.”

The Lions figure to be more of a running team in 2012 and B.J. Daniel, Hawk Love and newcomer A.J. Daniel have received a brunt of the work so far in preseason.