The first full week of high school sports is finally here.

We have a sneak preview of fall sports last weekend as several of the Leader Publications volleyball, cross country and soccer teams were in action.

I am looking forward to the 2018-19 year because I feel like we have a lot of teams that are going to be successful in conference and divisional championship chases, as well as, in the postseason.

Everyone points to this week on their calendar as the high school football season kicks off Thursday night.

All six of our teams will be in action. Several of them are going to have their hands full because they are opening up against perennial powerhouses.

Some of our teams may not be challenged by the season-opener opponent, but they had better be ready or Thursday could turn into a nightmare.

Every team that takes the field, the court or hits the trails, feels like they have a chance to be successful.

There is nothing quite like a new season to get the juices flowing and minds dreaming of things to come.

Some teams will realize those dreams, while other teams may struggle and still others may suffer the disappointment of falling short of their goals.

But high school sports are not just about winning and losing. It is much deeper than that.

High school sports are about learning to come together as individuals to create a team.

Teams turn into families and the successful sports programs know how to rise above adversity and push forward toward a common goal.

I want to wish every one of our sports teams good luck as they begin their quests.

I am looking forward to seeing them play this fall.