A first-time encounter with Pisgah and a matchup with East Rutherford for the first time since 2012 are among the highlights of Polk County’s 2017 football schedule.

Making a return to the 1A ranks after eight seasons as a 2A school, Polk County opens its 2017 season on Aug. 18, hosting Chase. The Wolverines will then have an open date on Aug. 25 before hosting R-S Central on Sept. 1.

Polk County will travel to Landrum for its first road game of the season on Sept. 8 before returning home to face East Henderson on Sept. 15. The Wolverines then begin a four-game road trip on Sept. 22, traveling to Canton to face Pisgah for the first time in school history.

The Wolverines trek to East Rutherford the following week, Sept. 29, to conclude their non-conference schedule.

With Hendersonville leaving the Western Highlands Conference in 2017 to join the Mountain Six 2A Conference, WHC officials flipped the playing order of the past two seasons. Thus Polk County will begin conference play on Oct. 6 with Owen, traveling to Swannanoa to face the Warhorses.

A road trip to Avery follows on Oct. 13 before the Wolverines return home on Oct. 20 to face Mitchell. Polk County then concludes its regular-season schedule with a trip to Mountain Heritage on Oct. 27 before hosting Madison on Nov. 3 in the regular-season finale.

Polk County will take part in two preseason outings. The Wolverine Jamboree, set for Aug. 9 in G.M. Tennant Stadium, will include East Rutherford, North Henderson and Hendersonville. Polk County will then travel to Bessemer City on Aug. 11 for its final preseason tuneup.