We are ready for some football

And they’re off and running. High school football teams across the Mahoning and Shenango valleys darted, dashed and dived onto the field this weekend for the start of another frenzied, fevered and fast-paced season of gridiron action. We join fans of Valley standouts Austintown Fitch, Hubbard, Howland, McDonald and South Range in celebrating their season-opener wins Friday.

We also join fans throughout the region in wishing all of their hometown teams success in their quest for championship titles come December. From now until then, The Vindicator/Vindy.com and its team of Blitz reporters, photographers, videographers and bloggers will be watching and chronicling virtually every move on the field for three-dozen plus teams.

We’ve eagerly awaited and prepared for the 2014 season that will be chock full of ups, downs, thrills, chills and high-intensity impact on players, coaches, schools, fans and communities alike. And why shouldn’t we? High school football has become a Friday-night lights tradition in these parts for many good reasons.

For players, the game builds respect, loyalty, responsibility, self-discipline, sportsmanship and cooperation. For schools, the game builds revenue for athletic and other programs while helping to cement school spirit. For communities, it builds identity and cohesiveness.

FACES OF FOOTBALL INSIDE TODAY

But now it’s time to get down and dirty. For starters, don’t miss the 32-page special Blitz Faces of Football tabloid that is Section G of today’s newspaper. Each week, look forward to a new Blitz section in your Friday Vindicator and fresh updates at Blitz online. And don’t miss expanded high-school football coverage every Saturday in The Vindicator and Vindy.com.

The Vindicator recognizes the value, importance and passion behind high school football in the Mahoning Valley to its players, fans, schools and communities. That’s why we’ll be putting on our A game over the next three months to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage for our proud football-frenetic region. Our growing legion of Blitz fans and followers deserves nothing less.