Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The first week of August usually means high school football is approaching. 

High school football practices officially start on August 5, the first Monday mandated by the Alabama High School Activities Association (AHSAA). The AISA allowed its first football practices to start on July 29. 

Seven Dallas County schools will play football this season: Selma High, Southside High, Keith High, Dallas County High, Ellwood Christian Academy, Meadowview Christian School and Morgan Academy.

ECA, Morgan Academy and Dallas County will have first-year head coaches. Jacob Webb will coach the Senators. Darryl Watts is the Hornets’ coach. Ray Blanks is the Crusaders’ coach.

Webb and Watts both said they’re still trying to figure out their squads. 

The first game can officially be played on August 22, but most schools will open the season on August 30, Labor Day weekend.

Selma entertains Park Crossing on August 23 at Memorial Stadium. Keith visits Calhoun on the same day. Southside entertains Selma in the Queen City Classic on August 30.

The Selma Times-Journal’s Gridiron Cover contest to determine the cover of the football section gets underway August 8 and the winner will be announced August 16. The gridiron edition will include team previews of all seven local schools and a schedule of each.