OK, here we go folks. Week 1 of the high school football season, and I'm trying something new this year, featuring predicted outcomes of games on the blog. Let's get started:

Time was when high school football camps were designed to get players into shape.

With defenses and offenses getting so sophisticated even at the prep level, however, more and more, those dog-day August two-a-days more times than not also mean getting as quick a grasp on the coaches' techniques as quickly as possible.

One only has to look at longtime Yokota assistant Larry Donovan walking the Panthers' offense through coach Tim Pujol's trademark intricate veer offense ... one ponderous step at a time. That by itself takes one entire practice.

Or the "Shrock & Awe" spread attack promulgated by Kadena assistant Steve Schrock, based on the principles of the University of Missouri and Texas Tech spread formations.

Hope everybody's had a restful summer, hope everybody's batteries are recharged and we're all ready to charge headlong into what should shape up to be a marvelous fall season of DODDS-Pacific athletics.

Practices are well underway from Misawa to Mangilao, doors open Aug. 27 and the first games are on the 31st! Boy, did time zoom by quickly.

Before we get started, may I post a gentle reminder, shirt-tailing onto similar reminders posted late last May, and with apologies to FOX News commentator Bill O'Reilly's signature line:

Caution: You are about to enter a no-hate zone.