Pick Parade and Fall Sports Underway

High school football is back, and Thursday night the first teams hit the field, but high school golf is already well underway.

Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball will also be on the schedule for the sports staff as the school year gets underway.

Soccer season is open, Cross Country begins officially today and Volleyball serves up a new season beginning this Saturday.

Marching bands are polishing their performances, flag corps are unfurling and the cheer leading squads are poised for what are indeed the fastest ten weeks of the year for gridiron fans.

To celebrate the official start of the 2011 high school football season in the Ohio Valley, the second annual McDonald's OVAC Kickoff Night will take place Thursday at Wheeling Island Stadium and Steubenville's Harding Stadium.

It is disappointing this season that none of our local covered teams are on the slate, but everyone is back in action on either Friday and Saturday. Thursday night I will get my gear and warm up for the first night of football by shooting the European version that we call soccer at St. Clairsville.

I will be on the road early Friday, the parking lots and stands will fill quickly as all of the teams are undefeated and the excitement of a new season filled with promise fills the air.

Weather is forecast to be perfect for the evening. I begin at Barnesville as the Shamrocks host john Glenn then across to Morristown where Union local looks to get back on track as they host Meadowbrook.

Also back in the mix for the newspaper staff is the weekly pick parade. Local fans and of course players and coaches pay very close attention to the picks. I have already made my selections and apologize to Purple Rider fans for the spread, but I am a graduate of Heath High School and had to be true to my Bulldogs.

Hey, here's an idea. Comment on this blog with you picks.

Week 1

Conotton Valley at Beallsville

John Glenn at Barnesville

River at Fort Frye

Claymont at Harrison Central

Heath at Martins Ferry

Monroe Central vs. Columbiana

Strasburg at Shadyside

Meadowbrook at Union Local

St. Clairsville at Columbiana Crestview

Grove City Christian at St. John

Utica at Buckeye Local

Wheeling Central at Bellaire

Bridgeport at Rosecrans

My selections will be made public in the newspaper. If you need some good scouting reports, the Pigskin Preview will be in Tuesday's edition.

GOOD LUCK to all the teams and anyone fearless enough to post their predictions.