The North Springs Spartans will kick off the Walter Vaughn era where it matters most: across town at rival Riverwood on Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

The non-conference season opener at Hoskyn Stadium pits Sandy Springs' two Fulton County high schools against each other in the first regular-season game of the year for both programs. For North Springs, it marks the beginning of a rebuild under Vaughn, a first-time head coach tasked with turning around a program that went 1-9 in 2025.

The Spartans' lone win last season came against region opponent Clarkston, 28-6, according to Rough Draft Atlanta's schedule preview. But the team showed fight late, losing 21-13 to Northview in the season finale. North Springs finished 1-7 in Region 5-4A.

Vaughn has been building toward this moment since spring. The program held a meet-and-greet to introduce the new coach to the school community, and in April the team's official account urged every player to attend a final pre-spring-practice meeting, noting the full schedule would be reviewed and the tone set for the season ahead.

School opened Monday, Aug. 3, and North Springs posted its first weekly update of the 2026-27 school year on Friday, Aug. 7, signaling the Spartans are in full preseason mode.

The rebuild starts Aug. 21.

North Springs remains in Class 4A and Region 5-4A after GHSA classification changes. The Spartans play home games at Thermopylae Stadium but will be on the road for much of the early schedule, including a preseason tune-up at Johns Creek on Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. before the Riverwood opener.

Across town, Riverwood head coach Josh Coffey returns with a revamped staff that includes assistant head coach Robert Hicks, a former first-team All-SEC offensive lineman at Mississippi State who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, according to Riverwood's athletics department. The Raiders play at Hoskyn Stadium, named for Hall of Fame coach and former athletic director Bill Hoskyn.

The Aug. 21 matchup does not count toward region standings for either team, but bragging rights between the two Sandy Springs schools carry their own weight.

After the Riverwood opener, North Springs travels to Creekview on Aug. 28, then faces road games at Woodland-Cartersville on Sept. 4 and at Westminster on Sept. 25. The Spartans' toughest stretch comes late: Greater Atlanta Christian on Oct. 16, followed by a trip to Stephenson on Oct. 30, where they'll face one of Class 4A's most talented rosters led by five-star edge rusher KJ Green. The regular season closes Nov. 6 against Douglass-Atlanta.

Kickoff at Hoskyn Stadium on Aug. 21 is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through GoFan.