It’s a new year for high school football and up until this week, it’s all been talk.

When the season kicks off Tuesday and Friday night under the lights, the hits will start flying and seasons will start to be defined.

The Austin football is entering this season with fresh optimism and a new approach as long-time assistant coach Ed Schmitt takes over. The Packers received a break in the schedule this year as they won’t have to play Owatonna or Mankato West, but they will have a tough task early on as three of their first four games are on the road.

Austin will begin the year in Faribault at 7 p.m. Friday. The Falcons like to use a misdirection running attack to keep their opponents on their toes. The Packers will have to stay disciplined if they want to get the year started on a positive note.

Lyle-Pacelli also has a new head coach in Brad Walter and the Athletics will look to shake off a 27-game losing streak when they play at LeRoy-Ostrander. L-P has a lot more players out for football than it has had in recent years, but the Cardinals bring back a lot of talent from last season.

Blooming Prairie, which brings back the bulk of its team that advanced to the Minnesota Class A State Football Tournament semifinals last season, will open up with a tough game at Rushford-Peterson. The biggest strength BP might have going for it, will be its defensive front, which is stacked with athletes and play-makers.

Southland will make it’s debut in nine-man football as the Rebels will travel to Houston to take on a rising power. The Rebels may be playing a new brand of football, but they’ll do it with a hard-nosed, hard working approach.

After winning four straight state titles, Grand Meadow hasn’t played in a section title game the past two years, but the Superlarks are hoping to make a splash this fall with a lot of veterans. GM will host Kingsland to start the year.

The lone area team opening its season Thursday, will be Hayfield, which will take on Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons on the road. The Vikings have a lot of skill players returning from last year and they have high hopes.