Gardner hosts Athol in scrimmage Friday at Gardner High School

SBLive Report,

Gardner High School -

Gardner and Athol meet in a preseason scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Gardner High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT. The Gardner Wildcats (0-0) welcome the Athol Bears (0-0) for what should be a first look at lineups, underclassmen and new schemes as both programs ramp up for the regular season.

Quick game details

What: Scrimmage — Gardner Wildcats vs. Athol Bears

When: Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 — 9 a.m. EDT

Where: Gardner High School (Gardner, Mass.)

Game page: https://scorebooklive.com/massachusetts/football/games/5721869-gardner-vs-athol

Gardner Wildcats team page: https://scorebooklive.com/massachusetts/football/teams/242328-gardner-wildcats

Athol Bears team page: https://scorebooklive.com/massachusetts/football/teams/241005-athol-bears

Why it matters

This is a tune-up for both teams — a chance for coaches to evaluate personnel, iron out fundamentals and give younger players meaningful reps. There is no previous meeting listed between these programs in the provided data, so Friday offers a clean slate and a glimpse at which units will set the early tone. With records at 0-0, the emphasis will be on execution and depth-building rather than the scoreboard.

Streaming and ticketing

Gardner fans can check Gardner’s NFHS Network page here: https://nfhsnetwork.com/schools/gardner-high-school-gardner-ma/football?referrer_name=scorebooklive&utm_campaign=scorebooklive&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=scorebooklive

Athol fans can check Athol’s NFHS Network page here: https://nfhsnetwork.com/schools/athol-high-school-athol-ma/football?referrer_name=scorebooklive&utm_campaign=scorebooklive&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=scorebooklive

Note: NFHS Network availability and any required subscriptions vary by school and event. No separate ticketing information was provided; check the Gardner High School athletics site or the SBLive game page for updates.

Fan engagement (SBLive)

Gardner fans: 5 Picks: 0

Athol fans: 0 Picks: 0

These SBLive numbers may change — follow the teams to grow their fan counts and make picks if you want to show support. Picks are for fun and are not tied to any win-chance projections. Follow the Gardner Wildcats and Athol Bears on SBLive and visit the game page for the latest updates and postgame coverage.

Upcoming on SBLive

Gardner’s next listed game: Quabbin Regional at Gardner — https://scorebooklive.com/massachusetts/football/games/5540597-quabbin-regional-vs-gardner

Athol’s next listed game: Athol at Frontier Regional — https://scorebooklive.com/massachusetts/football/games/5295680-athol-vs-frontier-regional

Stay tuned to SBLive for previews, in-game notes and postgame coverage as the 2025 high school football season unfolds.