Rocky Hidalgo knows that not every rookie head coach gets to make his debut in the Georgia Dome, yet it seems rather fitting that he will enter the next phase of his career against Norcross in tonight's 8:30 p.m. nightcap of the Corky Kell Classic.

Hidalgo, a long-time assistant at Walton who took the reins after Ed Dudley left for Ware County, has a personal history at the Georgia Dome. In 1996, he made his debut on the Raiders' staff against Lassiter. Ten years later, he served as defensive coordinator for the first time there against McEachern.

"There won't be anywhere for me to hide," Hidalgo said. "I'm excited about it. I'm just going to enjoy it. Not that many people have the opportunity to, one, get to be a head coach of a school like Walton and, two, get to make their debut in the Georgia Dome. I don't really see what to stress out about or be nervous about."

Unfortunately, the relationship between Hidalgo and the Georgia Dome hasn't been too friendly. The Raiders have lost three of the four times they have played there, with the only victory coming a year ago against Brookwood.

But Hidalgo insists that tonight's season-opener is about much more than him. If he had his choice of opponents, the coach quipped that he would have picked the worst team on the planet to make that first victory a little easier to obtain.

"The big thing is, the kids are excited about it," he said. "It's an opportunity that they get every now and again. And I think most in the state of Georgia will never get to step foot on that field as a player and I think they know what it means and they'll be excited about it when the game comes."

Hidalgo is confident that his team will give its all. The only question, is whether or not that will be enough.

"If we do the right things and execute, we will have our chance to win," Hidalgo said.

The Raiders will be trying to win after losing leading rusher Michael Boydston and quarterback Ray Rayburn to graduation. Also out of the lineup is Brandon Burrows, who will miss the season after suffering an injury during spring practice, while lineman Kyle Woestmann is questionable after suffering a non-football injury over the summer.

Aiming to be the next Walton headliners are running backs Andre Walkine and Rodney Kazibwe, as well as wide receivers Patrick Cosgrove and Braylon Williams. Bradley Kilborn, who backed up Rayburn a season ago, will likely step into the pocket, although other players such as Joey Windler may compete for time.

As with any early-season game, the Raiders will be making adjustments and discovering what works as they go.

"Our players have to learn what it is like to play under the lights," Hidalgo said. "They have to learn what to do in fourth-and-1. Hopefully, they will do that (tonight)."

The offensive and defensive lines will be the strength for the Raiders, even with the loss of defensive end Burrows. Hidalgo even went so far as to say his team will have to win the game upfront.

"(Norcross') skill players are phenomenal," he said. "So, if we don't win the offensive line battle and the defensive line batter, it will be hard for us to win the game. That is first and foremost, but we have to win the special teams battle, too."

Norcross is in a similar position with its skill players. The Blue Devils will be breaking in a pair of running backs, Kendrix Huitt and Delino DeShields, after graduating its star of las season, D.J. Adams.

Norcross has yet to name a starting quarterback for the season.

In Hidalgo's opinion, the Blue Devils are exactly what every coach wants his team to be - big, fast and athletic.

"It's going to be a tough game," Hidalgo said. "We are going to have to play well. Basically, I have told (my team) that we are going to have to focus on the Walton Raiders and get better at what we do. At some point in time, something bad is going to happen and, when it does, we have to pull together as a team and find a way to win the game.

"But more than anything, I want our players to go out as a team and enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy themselves out there."