One week from today, the high school football practice fields will be empty and nothing will be going on.
Then the skies will open and flames will shoot from the stars and the glory of high school football season will be upon us.
Nothing like a little unneeded hype to get us through the day.
It's a little too early to make any kind of informative predictions yet, but it's never too early to talk football. I've accumulated a quick week-by-week analysis of what the Sumner County football season may look like with a potential game barn burner for every week of the season.
Please note: I'm not saying these are "games of the week," just ones that can turn into them.
Week #1 - Andale at Wellington
Yes, Andale has beaten Wellington six straight times, and has eliminated us from the playoffs in the past two seasons. But Wellington has yet to open the season with Andale. Some might think it's a good time to play the Indians.
I never subscribe to that kind of thinking. I think a team beats another team based on talent and coaching. All the other stuff is secondary, especially the timing of the game. But what a great way to start the season if Wellington can get past the Indians.
Week #2 - Caldwell at Central Burden
Caldwell has a lot of potential this year to do some wonderful things. But the Bluejays are going to have a tough one in week two at Central-Burden.
Both schools had very similar seasons in 2009, after sporting losing seasons the year before. Both teams made had a five-plus win improvement during the regular season and were formidable playoff teams.
Central won seven game in 2009 and has back most of its studs. The SCBL title is on the line here.
Week #3 - South Haven at CV-Dexter
These two teams are hard to figure. South Haven has lost a few players from last year and Cedar Vale and Dexter are, well, consolidated for the first time as a football team. So who knows?
This game could serve as a barometer of where the Cardinals are at in 2010.
Week #4 - Conway Springs at Garden Plain
Well how many times can you say the battle between these two teams will be HUGE, IMPORTANT, EARTHSHATTERING!? I'm running out of adjectives to describe this rivalry.
If there is one difference in this game compared to the past two years is it is a non-district game: therefore a district championship will not be on the line and the right to avoid playing Wichita Collegiate in the first round.
In other words, this game won’t be as dire.
