JOURNAL SPORTS

While high school football teams around Louisiana have been active this summer with strength and conditioning workouts along with 7-on-7 competitions, some teams are kicking off fall camp today.

LHSAA rules allow teams that did not conduct spring practice to begin earlier than those that did. Nearly all local schools went through spring ball, but at least the Huntington Raiders opened their preseason camp at 6 a.m. this morning in shorts and practice jerseys.

The Raiders will line up in District 1-5A this season, moving up from Class 4A. Another 1-5A program, Natchitoches Central, begins its first preseason under former Northwestern State head coach Brad Laird, also a former head coach at Ruston High School. The Chiefs did not conduct spring practice as Laird built his NCHS staff.

Most local schools will kick off workouts next Monday, Aug. 5. A handful will get going on their first day of school Thursday, Aug. 8.

The regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 5 with two games, Benton at Northwood and Loyola going to Monroe to face St. Frederick. The rest of the local teams kick off a night later on Sept. 6.

Jamboree action is on the final Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August.