The beginning of practice for fall sports, primarily football, soccer and volleyball, is just around the corner. Several teams around the county are looking forward to highly successful seasons this year, and are anxious to begin preparations.

Football will be the hot topic this season as the Hazard Bulldogs prepare for a run at the state title. The Bulldogs finished 13-1 last season, and came up one game short of playing for the state championship.

This season, the Bulldogs will have a majority of the players returning, and should have an excellent shot at playing in Papa John’s Stadium. Hazard will begin their season on the road at Lexington Catholic where they will take on Green County in the Bluegrass Bowl.

Across town, the Perry County Central Commodores will be trying to return to the state playoffs, and hopefully get a win in the tournament. After a slow start, the Commodores finished the season on fire, and hosted their first playoff game in school history. They finished their season with a 7-4 mark.

Perry Central will start their season at home with Sheldon Clark in the second annual TECO Coal Commodore Bowl.

On the other football field (soccer), the Perry County Central Commodores boys’ team will be going for their fourth consecutive district title. The Commodores lost several strong players from last year’s team, but as in the past, they should be able to reload.

Perry Central will open their season on August 18 at home with Jackson City, and will host Letcher Central and Shelby Valley in the following week.

The Commodores girls’ team will be trying to improve on a disappointing 2-14 mark from last year. The Lady Commodores will be returning most of their squad from last year, and with the added experience, could make a run at the district this year.

The Lady Commodores will open their season at home with Middlesboro on the 18th of August, and will stay at home for the next two games against Letcher Central and Shelby Valley.

There are rumors that Hazard and Buckhorn will field soccer teams this year, but there are no schedules posted as of yet.

Three area teams will go into the gym as school starts. Buckhorn, Hazard and Perry Central volleyball teams will all be working hard to improve on last season.

The Buckhorn Wildcats will be trying to improve on a 8-15 season. The Lady Wildcats picked up their first ever district win last season, and will be hoping to make it to the region next year.

Buckhorn will open their season on August 18 as they travel to Lee Co. They will also travel to Powell County on the following day, and then host Perry Central on the 21st. The Wildcats will start the All “A” tournament on the 26 as they visit Owsley County.

Hazard will also be making a bid for the region tournament this season. The Lady Bulldogs finished their season with a 20-7 record, and will be returning many of their key players.

Hazard will have a full schedule in the opening weeks of the season, traveling to Knott Central on August 12, and then hosting Perry Central and Cordia on the 14th and 18th. The Lady Bulldogs will then go to Breathitt County on the 19th, and host Leslie County on the 21st. They close out August with a well-deserved break, as they play but one game, Powell County, on the 28th.

Perry Central started last season slowly, losing 11 of their first 12 games. However, the Lady Commodores were able to get on track late, and finished the season with an 11-15 record.

Unfortunately, the Lady Commodores finished the season with a devastating loss in the opening round of the district tournament. Perry Central will have to overcome the loss of many key players if they are going to make a run through the district this season.

Perry Central will open their season with Hazard on August 14, and will go on the road to Prestonsburg for a tournament the following day. The Lady Commodores will spend much of August on the road, playing at Buckhorn (21st), Jenkins (26th) and Breathitt County (27th). They will host Leslie County (18th) and Lynn Camp (28th) during the month.