Updated: 2:25 PM Coming off one of the best seasons in school history the Bears will have to reload at key positions to make it an even better 2011.

Updated: 2:25 PM The defending 20-3A co-district champion Mustangs only return four starters on offense and three on defense to their 2011 squad.

Updated: 2:25 PM Navasota has a lot of big shoes to fill, but expectations are as high as ever for the Rattlers this season.

Updated: 2:25 PM The preseason high school football poll is out and here's a look at where some area Brazos Valley teams that will start out the season ranked. Brenham is 6th in 4A, while Coldspring is 6th in 3A. There are four teams in 2A with Cameron 9th, Lexington 10th and Crockett and Hempstead receiving votes. In Class A both Burton and Normangee are receiving votes.

Updated: 2:25 PM Chance Locklear takes over as the new head coach of the Caldwell Hornets, and has six returning starters on offense and five on defense to work with.

Updated: 2:25 PM The Lions return plenty of talent to a squad that will once again be in contention for a district championship and a playoff berth. Seven starters return on both offense and defense, and 11 of the 14 Lions earned All-District honors a year ago.

Updated: 2:25 PM Coming off a tough 2010 season the Eagles have a nest full of returning starters that will try to turn things around in 2011.

Updated: 2:25 PM Coming off one of the best seasons in school history the Eagles hope to reload and return to the postseason for the third season in a row.

Updated: 2:25 PM A young group of Cougars will have to step up this season if Leon wants to run their playoff streak to three seasons.

Updated: 2:25 PM The Tigers went through growing pains in 2010 and they plan on using their experiences to snap a three year playoff drought in 2011. Head coach Kyle Hardee says, “We can count on our maturity. These young men have been through the fire.”

Updated: 2:25 PM Fresh off a district championship the Bison have the returning talent to contend for back-to-back 23-2A Division II titles.

Updated: 2:25 PM A young nucleus of Yeguas will have to use the experience they gained in 2010 to help Somerville improve in 2011.

Updated: 2:25 PM With 12 returning starters and new head coach the Iola Bulldogs are poised to return to the playoffs in 2011. Former assistant Scott Bishop, an Iola grad, takes over for Roddy McDougald and will have a solid group of returning players to work with.

Updated: 2:25 PM Normangee returns six starters on offense and seven on defense as they look to make it back-to-back appearances in the playoffs. The offense could be special if the offensive line comes together. “Our biggest challenge this season is having only one returning lineman,” said Mullinnix.

Updated: 2:25 PM The Panthers lose key members of their record-setting 2010 team in Montrell Crenshaw and Gabriel Patterson, but seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense should once again help Burton reach the playoffs.

Updated: 2:25 PM Jeff Kasowski takes over the traditionally powerful Bremond program for Bruce Brignac, who leaves after one successful season as head coach.

Updated: 7:29 PM After watching the smaller schools begin workouts and even put on the pads on Friday. A&M Consolidated and Bryan got their chance to get started this morning as both programs get ready for the upcoming season which starts for most teams on August 26th.

Updated: 2:25 PM With a season of varsity experience under their belts the Blue Jays look to make big improvements on the field in 2011.

Updated: 2:25 PM 21 lettermen return to a Brazos Christian team that gained even more valuable post season experience a year ago.

Updated: 2:25 PM Old coaches and experts say it all starts up front, and if the saying is true the Eagles could be in business this season. St. Joseph returns all five starters on the line, including big seniors Spencer Gray and Chris Frieda.

Updated: 2:25 PM While the Trojans lose a lot of talent to graduation the players coming back plus a solid crop of key newcomers should help Calvert once again be one of the best 6-Man teams in the state.

Updated: 2:25 PM Former assistant Jason Jolly takes over the Allen Academy football program as the Rams begin a new era in the Texas Christian Athletic League (TCAL).

Updated: 2:25 PM The Mustangs have a large number of returning starters, which could equate to a much improved team this season. They will need the numbers as they move up a classification to TCAL Division I.

Updated: 10:55 AM The Rockdale football program has reportedly found someone to open its season against. Now the Tigers need to find a new running back. Daniel Brooks confirmed to the American-Statesman on Wednesday that his senior season will be played at Port Lavaca’s Calhoun High School. Brooks’ father works for Alcoa and he was recently transferred to a job in the Port Lavaca area.

Posted: 12:29 PM An assistant football coach at a private high school in the Dallas area has collapsed and died following the first day of practice this season.