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A new football season always carries with an air of excitement, and anticipation. But, this year is particularly special for Kalkaska and Forest Area high schools, for two very different reasons.

The Blazers open the 2007 campaign with new man, Ted Collins, in charge.

Collins is following in the footsteps of Kevin Taylor, who retired last year after seasons guiding the Blazers from the sidelines.

Kalkaska has a strong football tradition Taylor helped and Collins realizes expectations he faces taking the program. It puts tremendous pressure his shoulders.

But, he's also excited about the prospects of carrying on from where Taylor left off last year. It's a challenge he's willing to tackle with enthusiasm and desire.

What's made things easier is Taylor has remained with the program, agreeing to help out at practice, and that's made the transition much smoother one than anticipated. Taylor's presence on the field by Collins' side, often offering advice and support, gives the players a sense that the program is in good and capable hands.

Every coach has his own style, and Collins' practices are clearly going to be different than what the Blazers have been accustomed to under Taylor. From all indications, however, it appears that the players are sold on Collins' sincerity and eagerness to keep them headed in the right direction. So, they're willing to put in the work to get the job done.

Reaching contention status in the Lake Michigan Conference is no mean trick. Overtaking the likes of perennial powerhouse Traverse City St. Francis and fellow state playoff team Boyne City, which has made the post-season party six consecutive years, looms as an almost impossible task. But nothing worth earning comes easy, and the Blazers know that Collins' goal is to get them to that point through hard work and dedication.

Warriors want more

Forest Area is coming off a 2-7 season, which might seem inconsequential on the surface, but created excitement for a program that had not won a game in its first three years of existence.

Now in its fifth season of football, Forest Area hopes to expand on that success this year under second-year coach Don Crossley and junior quarterback John Ricketts.

Ricketts showed his dedication to improving his game by attending a Quarterback Academy in Indianapolis back in June, and Crossley looks for him to show a substantial leap in ability this season and next.

The Warriors have the experience coming back to better last season's record, but they are also still a young team with all the expected weaknesses that go along with it. Crossley's task is to develop that youthful experience quickly enough to give the Warriors a chance to compete on a higher level this year.

He hasn't had any trouble motivating the team in practice the first week. Winning two games last year has given the Warriors a feeling of self confidence that they'd been missing before.

It's easier to teach them a new offense and defense when they've seen that it can be successful on the field.

Every young program has to progress by taking small steps. The Warriors took a big step forward last year. Now, they want to take a giant leap ahead.