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Ready or not, here it comes. Another school year has arrived. Yes, already!
Classrooms are open or are poised to open soon. Fall sports have started. Doesn't it seem many of the non-football fall sports begin earlier and earlier each year? Remember when all schools did not start activities until after Labor Day? Now it is only the schools with students involved in the Canfield Fair -- like West Branch and United Local -- that start after the holiday.
Our area teams kick the 2025 football season off this tonight with Leetonia at Vanlue and East Palestine at Shadyside. And, yes, we had to look up exactly where is Vanlue since nobody in the newsroom knew. It is located in northwest Ohio near Findlay and has a population of around 340. So, for sure, best of luck to the Bears on their round-trip of about 360 miles.
Certainly, too, the best of good fortunes and good health to all of our student-athletes. Regardless of season, all sports are special -- especially for the student-athletes involved. But it seems fall sports come with so much anticipation and eagerness. It is all part and parcel with a new school year and all the excitement that comes with fresh classrooms full of kids.
A high school stadium on a game night is often the place to be. It's not just the game on the field but the community gathering that comes with it. It is a tradition for many generations to attend games, especially those pitting rivals.
The sports staff of your three county newspapers are raring to go to bring our readers game results including photos. It is a challenge and a massive undertaking at times -- especially with hulking Friday night deadlines -- to get it all in print and online. But our staff members are primed for the season. And, a memo for all schools, please get your game stats in on time.
Remember to check out our annual Football Preview appearing in today's papers featuring schedules, stats, stories and plenty of photos. Grab extra copies. Besides being informative, they make for great keepsakes. Our circulation department can assist if needed. A non-football, high school fall sports edition will soon follow. We like to highlight all of our area students-athletes, regardless of sport.
Again, we wish our very best to all local fall sports participants including players, cheerleaders, band members, advisers, coaching staffs members, trainers, boosters and volunteers such as ticket-takers, scoreboard operators and chain-game crew members. And, of course, the fans. All of you help make this time of year so very special and exciting. Bring it on! And remember to applaud the efforts of all participants and adhere to a decorum of sportsmanship. There are no losers when we all do that.