BISMARCK — The Bismarck-Henning football team is rapidly moving up to speed.
Quickness in abundance is not a trait which coach Mark Dodd has seen among the Blue Devils during his tenure.

WESTVILLE — It’s not a stretch to say that Westville High School will field a strong football team this season.
The proof is on the weightlifting log sheets.
Two Tigers (Ryan Pinter and Nick Woods) have lifted at least 300 pounds on the bench press. They are among six squad members who gained membership in the school’s 1,000-pound club (for three lifts).

FITHIAN — Long before the parts were assigned, the script was set for the Oakwood/Armstrong-Potomac football team.
The script comes in nine segments, with the possibility of an encore. The nine segments reflect the number of regular-season football games.
The parts will go to the various athletes who started preseason practice eight days ago.

SIDELL — Uncertainty is the byword at Salt Fork football practices.
On one hand, veteran head coach Brian Plotner believes that the annual Storm quest is realistic.
“Our big goal is to get into Week 10. The playoffs,” he said. “The kids have worked hard enough to be in that position to contend.”

GEORGETOWN — Experience is the first thing that’s noticeable about the Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman football team.
Sixteen of the Buffaloes’ 32 varsity prospects are lettermen.
That’s not the only place there’s experience.
Head coach Josh Cavanaugh has more than a two-day head start this year.

Changes are on the horizon for high school wrestlers.

Starting next school year, there will be an additional weight class in the upper weights while streamlining the middle weights so that the total number of weight divisions for preps remains at 14.

Over the years, I have read -- and written -- numerous tributes about individuals of prominence in the area sporting world after they have passed away. They are always touching stories that center around the good deeds of the person or how the individual was influential in the lives of many others.

LINCOLN -- The boys' basketball teams from Danville and Centennial high schools are getting closer to full strength. When that occurs, the teams can start the refinement process.

The first day of the IHSA volleyball state tournament, in Normal, is over and the overall result is what you'd hope for such an elite level. Five of the day's eight semifinal matches required three sets to produce a winner.

There were extra lessons going on Tuesday at LeRoy High School. They centered around respect and sportsmanship.
The hope here is that a message can be sent to teen-age students everywhere about what is appropriate and what goes over the line when trying to generate enthusiasm for an upcoming game.