By Staff
Let the games begin.
Actually, it's just practice.
On Monday morning the smell of fresh-cut grass and the sight of freshly-painted lines will mark the beginning of fall sports practice.
The football teams will kick off the fall season with three days of conditioning before they can put on pads.
But come Thursday morning, the sound of grunts, groans and the banging of helmets and shoulder pads will permeate the air throughout southwestern lower Michigan.
There is no more exciting time of year than the beginning of fall sports.
Hope springs eternal for all teams.
The slates are clean and its the beginning of a new year at our area high schools.
Football, golf, soccer, tennis, cross country, basketball, swimming, equestrian and competitive cheer squads will begin prepping for conference, division, district, regional and, perhaps, even a state championship over the months to come.
High school athletics is a social event in most communities.
It is a time to gather together and support your favorite teams.
Football games over the past few years have become more like a Saturday afternoon at your favorite universities.
Many schools have tailgate parties before the "big" game to get fired up.
That is all well and good, but please remember that these are high school players, not college or professional athletes.
Sportsmanship is a must at all levels, particularly in high school.
So we would urge everyone to be on their best behavior this year.
High school athletics can create positive lasting memories for our youths.
The start of competition is only a few weeks away. So it's time to get geared up.
Let the games begin.