The new sports season officially arrives Monday.
The Houston High School football, softball and volleyball teams will all begin practices on the first day allowed by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. This week — July 25-29 — is a dead week with no interaction allowed between players and coaches.
The HHS football team, under the direction of second-year head coach Eric Sloan, will go from 7-9:30 a.m. The week will include with the annual Pig Roast on Saturday. Food will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the scrimmage at 7 p.m.
The Tigers host a jamboree Aug. 12 before kicking off the season Aug. 19 at home against Ash Grove.
The Lady Tigers softball team will also attempt to beat the heat as much as possible with 8 a.m. practices next week with head coach Brent Hall. The team opens its season Aug. 19 at Stoutland and plays its first home games Aug. 27 when the team hosts its annual tournament.
The HHS volleyball team will practice from 8-10:30 a.m. next week under the guidance of first-year head coach Loran Richardson. The Lady Tigers open their season with road matches at Licking (Aug. 23) and Cuba (Aug. 25) before their first home match Aug. 30 against Summersville.
Students interested in playing any of the three sports must have physicals on file with the school district.