There is something about the fall that puts an extra spring in our step. Maybe it's the hint of cooler weather, or the changing colors of nature's wonderlands. Or it could be the start of football season.

If the first game of high school football signifies the changing season to you, this is your weekend.

Last night Heritage kicked off at Salem, and Rockdale took on Winder-Barrow. Both games are in today's paper, covered by our dedicated sports staff. You can catch a preview of the action in video at www.rockdalenews.com.

You'll also find our annual football section in today's paper, with everything you'd want to know and more about our high school teams.

Football is a game of winners and losers, so our local teams are not all going to go undefeated this year. But we're just glad to have the game back, and to see our kids go out there and fight their hardest.

We wish our teams well this year. The efforts of our boys and girls who make up the football programs, the bands that go all out to put on a great show, and the cheer teams that rally the crowds give us hope and pride in these days of darkened economic stress.

Go Salem Seminoles, onward Bulldogs, and cheers to you Patriots. Go, fight, win!