We are at the 57-day mark until the start of high school football.

Aww yes, the gridiron is calling my name as it draws nearer and nearer.

All summer, local high school teams have been busy participating in mandatory workouts and other team activities to get bigger, stronger and on the same page, fundamentally.

When this sports editor often visits schools who are taking part in such activities, it always brings a smile to my face.

On Tuesday, I went to Andalusia High School, where the Bulldogs were split into groups by position and working on different techniques.

The constant shouting from coaches and whistle blow were heard as players kept working to get in shape before taking off next week for the July 4 Holidays.

Soon after the holiday, football teams will start to play in 7-on-7 tournaments.

These tournaments always provide a good competitive environment for players to give them a little taste of what it’s going to be like come Friday nights in the fall.

Folks are talking about Friday night lights and Saturday mornings, let me tell you.

In my walking about at the ball park, I constantly hear talk of what one team’s going to be like this season; what their opponents look like; and even better, what their favorite college football team’s going to be like.

The chatter always gets my blood pressure going at the beat of the football drum.

From what I gather, Andalusia will be pretty good on offense this season; Straughn will field another decent squad; Opp will be quicker and from the looks of it, bigger; Red Level will try and use its momentum gained from the spring going into the fall; Pleasant Home and Florala will be much improved.

Only time will tell as the season gets under way pretty soon.

Just think, there’s only 57 more days and counting left.