Are you ready for some football?

We at the News-Herald are - and we're not alone.

In less than a week, practice sessions for the third annual News-Herald Senior Bowl, presented by Hooley House, will begin at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium in Mentor. What an exciting time it will be.

While, naturally, most everyone is anticipating the 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, June 21 - when the actual GAME will be played - players and coaches are equally excited about Monday.... the first day of practice for the Blue and White teams.

Coach Tom Gibbons' White squad will practice from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a walk-through on Thursday. Coach Brandon Lauer's Blue team will practice from 7-9 p.m. the first three days, then have a walk-through on Thursday.

What's so exciting about practice?

Consider this: Many, if not most of the players taking part in this game, don't even know each other, let alone haven't shared the field of battle with each other. To many of these players, the only familiarity is from what they've read about them in the sports section or heard about them in football circles.

And now they are coming together to form two teams and play in a benefit football game where proceeds benefit charity (Clothe-a-Child).

We've had two promotional shows at Hooley House over the past month, and it's plain to see the players are excited. For many, it's the last high school game they'll play before embarking on a college career. For others, it's the last high school game they'll play - Period.

Between the blending of talents from all over the News-Herald coverage area, to the short week of preparation to the reality of it being the last high school sporting event for the players, there is a buzz around the area as the June 21 Senior Bowl approaches.

Presale tickets are $5 at The News-Herald and Hooley House. Tickets are $7 at the gate on game day.
 
If you haven't already done so, make plans to join is on June 21 at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. You will be glad you did.

- John Kampf