I worked on my first football special section back in 1996.
Just like ever other of the preseasons, I begam this trek the early morning of July 31 as the Basile Bearcats joined together for media day photos.
The journey continued around the tri-parish area as I visited Iota, Church Point, Eunice High and Mamou before my final stop at St. Edmund.
Every team has high hopes heading into the football season with the plan to win their respective districts and make a deep run in the playoffs.
Every coach gave me both cliches and heart-felt thoughts as he talked about his team.
You can read all the previews in today’s special football preview inserts.
In 2016, the only are team to earn a wining record was the Eunice Bobcats who finished at 6-5.
The Bobcats (4-1 in district) finished second in District 5-3A behind Northwest.
With the Blue Jays playing under the direction of second-year head coach Andy Hargroder, St. Edmund moved from District 5-1A to District 4-1A.
After a 4-7 finish last season, St. Edmund is looking for the prior successes when the Blue Jays were back-to-back football district champs in 2003 (11-3, 6-0) and 2004 (8-4,6-0) as part of that western district.
Church Point made the playoffs last season, but the Bears wanted more than its 3-8 finish.
Iota is expecting improvement this season after a 2-8 struggle in 2016.
The Mamou Green Demons are searching for a win after just one victory in the past three seasons.
The Basile Bearcats are preparing for a rebound from its dissapointing 3-7 finish in 2016.
Good luck to every area football team as they begin the games that count next Friday.
Fan can follow their favorite team in the Eunice News and at www.eunicetoday.com.
LSU fans are ready to see if Coach Orgeron can lead the Tigers to the SEC title and game and thebowl championshp series.
A few weeks ago, the Coaches poll was released and the LSU Tigers football team landed in the No. 12 spot in that poll.
In the AP poll, the Tigers garnered a No. 13 preseason ranking.
Alabama is ranked the top team in both polls so the Tigers will have to improve each week and beat the Tide on Nov. 4 to propel LSU into the title race.
LSU opens up the 2017 season against BYU in Houston Texas at NRG stadium.
Louisiana Lafayette is picked seventh out of 12 teams in the Sun Belt Conference and seven road games may prove too much for the Cajuns.
UL is favored in six games and if that happens, then they would be bowl eligible.
The Cajuns are picked to beat Southeastern Louisiana, Louisiana Monroe, Texas State, South Alabama, New Mexico State and Georgia Southern.
Experts think UL will lose six games: Tulsa, Texas A&M, Idaho, Arkansas State, Ole Miss and Appalachain State.
The Cajuns might lose to South Alabama but win at Idaho so their 6-6 prediction could still come true.
But a 5-7 finish could be possible if the Cajuns stumble along the way.
The league has five alloted bowl slots and sent six teams bowling last season – but that may be hard to accomplish this year.
Put on your favorite colors and cheer on your team to victory,
Good luck to all the area high school teams this season.