Vacation’s over, another sports year begins.

High school football teams open practice on Wednesday and my early prediction for the Greater Spokane League favors Ferris for the third straight year. The team won the annual 7-on-7 tournament in Burnaby again and should be solid in the line.

Behind them it’s a crapshoot, although you have to like Mt. Spokane which returns most everybody from a state qualifying 3A team.

A birdie told me that Mead’s defense looked awesome in a summer camp that included the Saxons, Panthers, state quarterfinalist Central Valley (good line needs to fill skilled positions), Gonzaga Prep and teams from Idaho. Look for a veteran University team to make a big jump.

There are three new coaches, Dave Hughes and Brian Gardner moving up (from assistantships) at Lewis and Clark and North Central respectively, Bill Diedrick moving down (from college and pro ranks) to University. Like the class of 2008, the class of 2012 appears talented on the heels of last year’s freshman season.

That’s my take before hitting the road to see for myself. What, prep football fans, are your thoughts?

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