High school sports have officially returned.
With Monday’s first day of practices statewide –– as sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association –– three Houston High School teams kicked off their 2012 seasons.
The HHS football team, which is practicing in the evenings, is under the direction of first-year head coach Billy O’Neil. The Tigers will have just four days together before Friday’s 21st annual pig roast hosted by the Houston Quarterback Club.
The event begins with a dinner at 6 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults or $3 for school age children. A scrimmage will follow. Fans are asked to bring sports drinks as a donation to the team.
The Lady Tigers volleyball team is practicing twice a day under the leadership of second-year coach Skye Carrasquillo. She said 19 players came to the opening
practice and 18 remain with the team.
The team will host a scrimmage and spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Aug. 20. The dinner will be from 5-6:15 p.m., followed by a scrimmage at 6:30 inside Hiett Gymnasium. Fans are encouraged to bring water or Gatorade to the scrimmage. Carrasquillo also said catalogs will be available to purchase HHS attire.
Brent Hall began his first season Monday as head coach of the HHS softball team. The Lady Tigers, who have 13 players, have just two full weeks of practices before they open the season Aug. 20 with a home game against Strafford.
The football team opens the 2012 season on Aug. 24 and the volleyball team plays Aug. 28.