Some local high school athletes will officially head back to practice next week as the fall sports season kicks off.

Football teams have had workouts this summer, but can begin picking up their equipment on August 5th with the first official practice scheduled for August 6th. This will give teams a few weeks to get acclimated before games begin August 23rd.

Other teams getting an earlier start to the year include girls' golf on August 12th and girls' tennis on August 13th. All other fall sports begin on August 19th. 

Students and their parents need to check with their school's individual requirements before they can begin practicing, which include getting their physical and attending a co-curricular code meeting.