It is Aug. 1, and that means only 18 days until the first high school football game of 2011 (Phoenix Maryvale at Phoenix Desert Vista) on Friday, Aug. 19.

Two games will be featured the next day, on Saturday, Aug. 20. The annual Barry Sollenberger Kickoff Classic, sponsored by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

In the first game, Class 3A champion Show Low will face Moapa Valley, Nev., at 3 p.m. That will be followed by a contest at 7 p.m. featuring Class 5A Division II champion Scottsdale Chaparral against Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. The games originally were scheduled to be played at the Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, but were moved to the Valley because the dome is being renovated.

Since school has started for many schools or will start soon, football practice is beginning to take shape.

Most of the workouts will be held in early morning, early evening, or both.

The importance of players and coaches keeping properly hydrated is underscored at this time of year. That means drinking plenty of water before practice, during classes if possible, and when you go home.

As someone said, “If you get to the point of being thirsty, it’s already too late.’’

Don’t go against this advice and end up in the ER or worse.

Hope everyone has a safe, healthy, successful season.

Stay tuned to AIA365.com for feature stories and game coverage throughout the season.