NFL players reported to camp last week, and college teams kicked off official workouts on Friday.
And next week, it’s high school football’s turn.
For diehard sports fans, this is one of the most exciting times of the year.
I love the summer, like most of you. And who wouldn’t, as a Midwesterner who battles through the dreary too-long winters. And I hate to say goodbye to the warm, sunny weather, because that means the cold is coming soon.
But there sure is a different energy in the air when football season rolls around.
And this year is no different.
We have two defending state champions in Byron (Class 3A) and Lena-Winslow (1A), and a lot of solid teams and athletes that are sure to be on the field every Friday night in our three conferences. The NIC-10, which was led by Belvidere North (12-1) and Guilford and Harlem, which each finished with eight wins, should come back strong as well.
And, well, it’s time.
So to prepare you for what’s to come, I will be chasing down all the breaking news, finding everything you need to know and getting all the scoops when it comes to Rockford-area football and fall sports across the board. That includes girls volleyball, girls swimming and diving, girls tennis, girls flag football, boys soccer, boys and girls cross country and boys and girls golf.
And to get you ready, here is a little peek at our timeline for what’s to come.
TIMELINE
Top Sports
(This is the starting date)
Top Stories
(This is an estimated online release date)
Top Polls
(They will all stay open for one week)
(All of these dates are subject to change)
Watch it on NFHS
To watch you favorite high school team or athlete in almost every competition this school year, go to this NFHS link to register now.
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and sign up for the Rockford High School Sports Newsletter here at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks to local youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Start turning up excitement level, cause Rockford-area football is near
Reporting by Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
