WAKE FOREST, N.C. -- High school football officially kicks off with week one of the season this Friday night. Our "Friday Night Final" Game of the Week features Wake Forest at Millbrook.

• The Cougars enter 2018 having to replace nearly their entire offense
• The biggest strength for Wake Forest this season should be their defense
• First kick is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. 

The Cougars, two-time defending State Champions, enter 2018 having to replace nearly their entire offense.

"We're replacing nine guys," explained head coach Reggie Lucas. "Nine guys that were probably on the team for three years, so there's going to be some new names, but those guys have worked hard to embrace the challenge."

Top running backs Devon Lawrence and Marquis Dunn are gone, but the Cougars feel confident in their backfield.

"There's definitely big shoes to fill, we've been hard on the other running backs and we feel like they'll do the job," lamented senior tailback Demarcus Jones. "And also for myself, just being a leader as the older guy out there with the most experience."

The biggest strength for Wake Forest this season should be their defense, which allowed less than 9 points per game last year.

"Our whole defensive line is seniors and they're veteran players, so I think we'll be pretty dominate on D-line," senior lineman Jaden McKenzie said.

On the other side of the ball, Millbrook opened and closed 2017 the same way: with losses to Wake. They'll be ready for Friday night.

"Looking forward to beating them really," expressed senior quarterback Connor Jordan. "They're going to be at our house and I think we've got the home field advantage, we're going to be ready we're going to be pumped."

Millbrook fields an experienced team heading into 2018. They're also a closer Wildcat bunch.

"I think our seniors have done a great job of trying to incorporate everybody and get everyone involved and I think that's big for us to go in as a unit instead of a bunch of individuals," head coach Clarence Inscore said.

Expect the Wildcats to continue to focus on a run-first offense, but Jordan can sling it as well. Defensively, Millbrook believes speed will be their advantage.

"Especially on the D-line and on the outside as well because we're a little bit faster than last year." said senior free safety Shelvin Williams. "So I know we can round up to the ball and just looking forward to it."

Millbrook will be rocking Friday night with a first kick slated for 7 p.m.