By Kevin Price For GCS Athletics The start of a new school year is still a week away in Glynn County. But for the girls softball teams at Brunswick High and Glynn Academy, a new season begins this week. The Lady Pirates and Lady Terrors will bring in a new year well ahead of the first school bell with road games set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Brunswick will make the short trip to Darien to face off against McIntosh County Academy while Glynn motors to Metter to take on the Lady Tigers. The two local squads will play their home openers next week. The Lady Terrors will be at home against Richmond Hill next Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and BHS will be on its home diamond for the first time next Tuesday afternoon at 5 against Atkinson County. The first day of school here in Glynn County is next Wednesday. Thursday is also the first day any regular-season softball games can be played in the Georgia High School Association. Fast-pitch softball is the first varsity sport to swing into action in the GHSA in the new athletics season. Football teams can scrimmage as early as Friday. Volleyball teams can play their first matches on Monday. Competitive cheer can begin on Aug. 10 and cross country can run as early as Aug. 12. Last season, the Lady Terrors finished 13-15 overall while going 6-12 in Region 2-AAAAAA. They missed earning one of the region’s four playoff spots by two games Junior Gigi Smiley is the team’s top returning hitter as she batted .382 a year ago. The team’s top returning pitcher is Peyton Wilburn. The sophomore posted a 3-4 record last fall with a 3.05 ERA. Brunswick will be looking to improve on its 3-21 record from a year ago. Players to watch for the Lady Pirates include Raegan Walczak, Mary-Beth Kelly and Maci Moore.