When you cover high school sports for a living, the school year starts and ends with football.
And these days, football season never really ends.
Teams might only play games from late August through November, but in between there are plenty of work and workouts.
With spring football's arrival each May, we see what might be in store in the fall. We learn about who will play where in the fall. Some springs, those questions go unanswered.
This year, the Florida High School Athletic Association allowed teams to begin practice on Monday (April 27). Baker School Coach Matt Brunson took advantage of the four extra days to work the Gators.
Now entering his fifth year at his alma mater, Brunson has led Baker to four straight winning seasons and back-to-back district championships.
Expectations will again be high for the Gators in the fall, as rising senior quarterback Jon Beck returns for his third year as the starter.
Crestview High School Coach Tim Hatten chose to wait until Friday, May 1 to start spring practice. The Bulldogs will conclude spring drills in a May 28 game against Niceville.
Hatten enters his third year at Crestview, still in search of his first winning season. This could be a breakout year for the Bulldogs, with rising junior Rusty Moorer returning at quarterback and rising senior Corey Armstrong — who started last season as the starting quarterback — still in the mix.
The Bulldogs will have several long and athletic players at the wide receiver position with Andrew Adkins, Keenan Redd and Marquis McClain headlining a talented group.
Crestview should be in a mix for a playoff spot in the new District 3-6A. The Bulldogs join Okaloosa County schools Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville in the district.
While fans and coaches look to answer questions about the upcoming season, players are often just trying to get back into football shape. All the weightlifting and running in the world can’t take the place of going live on a football field.
Yes, spring football gives us a taste of the game so many of us love. If we are lucky that taste of football might just last until the fall.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: A taste of football in the spring