The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT July 11, 2012

It has to end at some point.

And in a few weeks, the summer vacation will end for area high school athletes as fall sports practices begin again.

GRANTED THAT those dates won't come up until the first part of August, but if teams want to make it to a state tournament in their respective sport, that work is starting now.

Area football and volleyball teams will open the season Aug. 24, with the first full week of games the following Friday night.

Soccer teams will get started the week of Aug. 17, with some playing at least four to five games before the school year begins.

But in some cases, that's what needs to happen to fit some 18 to 19 games into a schedule before state tournaments Oct. 18-20.

With the way the weather can be at times, it also might be the worst time to play games.

Often times, games are played in the middle of the day, with temperatures still in the mid 80s to 90s.

By the time that those state tournaments hit, it is anyone's guess just what the temperatures will be like - but most teams are ready for anything.

WITH THE state 5A soccer tournaments in the area this year, maybe there's a chance that some area teams can reverse some of their luck from trips down south.

The Post Falls boys team went unbeaten through its first 18 matches, then beat Centennial in the opening round before losing their final two games. Lake City lost in the first round to Mountain View before beating Skyline to advance to the consolation championship game.

Lakeland, in its first state appearance, lost its first game before closing out with an overtime win against Burley and an overtime win over Preston for the consolation championship. Should they qualify, the Hawks will have to travel to Idaho Falls for state.

Lake City’s girls team went 0-2 at state last year.

Will a change of scenery help those teams find a little more success this season — maybe.

It never hurts if you’ve played a few more games than your opponents on any field.

WHEN AREA cross country teams make it to state, they’ll be a lot closer to home than last year.

But they’ll still have to travel to Hells Gate State Park near Lewiston to compete.

Both the Coeur d’Alene boys and Timberlake girls will attempt to repeat as champions, with Timberlake seeking a third straight 3A girls title.

Even still, a lot of things need to happen before October.

Teams still have to practice hard and compete at a high level if they want to even have a chance at achieving anything close to a championship this year.

Championships aren’t determined in fall high school sports until October.

But how much you want to get one is definitely something that will be determined in the coming days.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].