Don’t blink. The start of high school fall sports is almost here.

Once practice starts Monday as per University Interscholastic League rules, things will proceed rather quickly as football and volleyball teams prepare for scrimmages in just a matter of days and then play their regular-season openers later this month. Cross Country and Team Tennis, which according to UIL rules has no specific starting date, is getting under way as well.

The competitive landscape will be a little different this school year for area teams because the UIL has created a Class 6A division for schools with the largest enrollments. While most schools have moved up one classification, a few have stayed at the same level only to welcome a new set of district opponents.

It’s a new era for high school sports in Texas, and it should be interesting.

Football: College Park will start practice on Monday, while Oak Ridge & The Woodlands teams won’t begin practicing until Aug. 11 as per UIL rules because each of them played spring ball.

Volleyball: The Woodlands, College Park & Oak Ridge teams are scheduled to start practice Monday and will be playing scrimmage matches by the end of next week. UIL rules allow them to play their first regular-season volleyball matches Aug. 11.

Team Tennis:  All area teams will open the regular season at the end of August teams are scheduled to start practice Monday and will be playing scrimmage matches by the end of next week. UIL rules allow them to play their first regular-season volleyball matches Aug. 11.

Cross Country:  All area teams will open the regular season at the end of August teams are scheduled to start practice Monday and will be playing scrimmage matches by the end of next week. UIL rules allow them to play their first regular-season volleyball matches Aug. 11.

Marching Band, Cheer, Dance and Drill Teams:  Are all back at school, learning new routines in preparation for August Pep Rallies and halftime football shows.