Click here for the online edition of our annual High School Football preview.

Another football season is nearly upon us. For myself and countless others, it doesn’t get any better than this wonderful time of year.

I don’t believe my wife, on the other hand, is a big fan.

This is about the time every 12 months I slowly but curiously rise from a quasi-coma induced by the doldrums of summer to awaken to a multi-month string of sports euphoria.

Between my Friday night high school duties, Saturday tailgates prior to college football, followed by mad Fantasy Football scoreboard watching on Sunday and Monday before it all begins anew four days later, my beautiful Kari probably wonders, ‘Who is this obsessed maniac — who has hardly slept in three days and just sliced his sandwich bread in the shape of a football — sitting next to me?’

I can’t help it. I simply love this time of year.

It never fails. That first Friday night each fall as I walk up to the press booth, my senses are overcome by the sights, sounds and smells of football.

Goosebumps envelop my body as I hear the band warm up and see the players doing the same down on the field. Each fan smiles a little wider and laughs a bit harder as they bustle about the bleachers with friends and loved ones.
Every team is undefeated, every goal still attainable.

It’s a new season, a clean slate, a shot at redemption or a chance to prove last season was not a fluke.

Click here for the online edition of our annual High School Football preview.