Monday marks return of high school football

It’s about that time. Football season is upon us.

Per FHSAA mandate, Monday is the first day varsity football teams begin fall camp as they prepare for the 2015 season. That means that, come Monday morning, practice fields at West Orange, Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Olympia, CFCA, Foundation Academy, Legacy High and Windermere Prep will be abuzz with activity.

For the Knights, Titans and CFCA Eagles, in particular, it is an exciting time as new head coaches who took over following the 2014 season will begin their first fall camp at the helm.

“I’m really excited,” Olympia coach Kyle Hayes said. “I talk to my guys all the time about the upcoming season, and I especially talk to my seniors about how every day that passes is a day they will never see again as a senior in high school. So they know that their time is limited.”

The first five days of practice are non-contact days statewide. The first day contact is allowed at practice will be Saturday, Aug. 8, per the FHSAA.

Although hitting will not begin until then, the first days of practice can be important as programs work on installation of plays, conditioning and other skills to be honed.

“It’s all about intensity and learning, as well,” Hayes said of his approach to the first few days of practice. “We need to fine-tune some of the technique.”

Preseason contests for the 2015 season will take place between Aug. 19 and Aug. 22, with the first Friday of the regular season set for Aug. 28.

Aug. 3 also is the first day of practice for varsity volleyball programs in Florida.