It has become my own personal gauge for determining when summer is almost over and high school football season is here.
For the 19th straight year I tried to visit as many area schools as possible on the first day that teams across Tennessee are allowed to begin practicing in full pads. Monday's final tally was 22 schools in a little over 13 hours, covering 298 miles.
All times Eastern.
* South Pittsburg, 7:03 a.m.: Waiting for coaches to arrive, I notice all the new accents around the stadium. Besides a remodeled two-story press box and a new track surface going down, part of the $120,000 face-lift at the stadium is a new "Pirate Walk," where fans bought bricks with engraved messages that lead to the field. While most of the South Pitt folks who bought bricks had family members' names engraved, several others just wanted to remind anyone who walks around the area to know what's important with the simple phrase "Beat Jasper" inscribed.
The Pirates return 13 starters to a team that reached the semifinals for the second straight season, including Mr. Football semifinalist fullback/linebacker Garrett Raulston (6-foot-2, 230).
* Marion County, 7:29: Not exactly the most glamorous part of the job, assistant coach David Moore is folding part of the team's laundry before players arrive. The biggest change here for a program that has played in state championship games three of the last four years will be switching from the wing-T that head coach Joey Mathis prefers to the spread offense.
"We've got more athletes and a mobile quarterback who's started for three years, so we need to get them on the field and take advantage of what gives us the best chance of winning," says Mathis, who adds that another adjustment will be not having three-time all-state running back/defensive back Jacob Saylors to count on.
* Chattanooga Christian, 8:08: The Chargers already have had a 30-minute workout in the weightroom and are just beginning to make their way to the field. One of the easiest returners to recognize is all-state running back Mondo Elliso, who ran for more than 1,700 yards last season.
"One thing we learned last year is that in Division II you'd better have more than one kid with the type talent Mondo has," CCS coach Mark Mariakis says. "The teams in our league reminded me a lot of the type athletes we saw in Georgia when I was at Ridgeland. Most every team in D-II is loaded, but our work in the weightroom is really starting to pay off."
* McCallie, 8:28: The players are just beginning to stretch before breaking up into position groups. Head coach Ralph Potter smiles sheepishly and admits he's waiting for someone to unpack some new footballs from his office because he forgot the practice balls in his garage after last weekend's 7-on-7 scrimmage.
It's that kind of slip-up that makes it tough for the veteran coach, known for being a perfectionist on the field, to yell at any players for messing up.
The Blue Tornado's depth along the offensive line will be a strength, and junior quarterback DeAngelo Hardy is already one of the best dual-threat athletes in the area.
* Notre Dame, 8:44: Coach Charles Fant and assistant Gerald Riggs are just finishing a team meeting where they explained to the players what to expect for the rest of the day. As his team leaves the room Fant can't contain his excitement over having nine offensive starters back, including Mr. Football finalist Cameron Wynn, from last year's Division II-AA state runner-up squad.
"This is the most conditioned team I've ever been around," Fant says. "There's no shortage of speed or talent. We saw what is needed to take that last step, and this group has worked extremely hard to get there. We are a very confident team."
* Baylor, 9:13: Former Soddy-Daisy and University of Tennessee lineman Victor McClure has returned to the staff, taking over as offensive line coach after the tragic death of Tim Daniels this past spring.
The Red Raiders must replace their leading rusher, leading receiver, top scorer and kicker on offense and half their defensive secondary from 2017. They also face an unforgiving schedule that includes five teams that played for state championships last season.
One key returner will be senior quarterback Lorenzo White, a three-year starter.
* Signal Mountain, 9:40: Rain has begun to fall as I pull up to the practice field. The Eagles' scout-team offense is giving the defense a good look as they prepare for a scrimmage later this week.
Second-year coach Josh Roberts has rebuilt the roster size and welcomes back 15 starters, including quarterback Drew Lowry and receiver Travion Williams, who should combine for one of the area's top passing attacks. With depth at the quarterback position, Lowry is versatile enough to return to receiver, where he played last year.
* Red Bank, 10:14: As the rain picks up, the Lions move quickly into position groups after finishing a series of tackling drills. The linebackers and defensive backs work on lateral movement and covering up bouncing fumbles.
First-year head coach Chris Brown inherits talent, including quarterback Maddox Wilkey and athlete Calvin Jackson who combined for more than 4,000 yards last year. But only two starters return to the offensive line, where depth is as much of an issue as inexperience. How quickly the sophomores and juniors mature to become game-ready could dictate whether the team can match or surpass its run to the semifinals last year.
* Boyd Buchanan, 10:48: The Buccaneers are finishing their morning workout on the field. The football team is working in one 50-yard area while the band is using the other side of the field to work on formations.
Interim head coach Kevin Orr Rodriguez, who has been in charge only a couple of weeks, has the defense working on its pursuit.
"It's about effort!" Rodriguez yells. "Get there! Hustle! Cover!"
* Brainerd, 11:04: The team will practice in the afternoon, so second-year head coach Tyrus Ward is just finishing up the morning chore of mowing both the game and practice fields. The Panthers showed marked improvement as the season progressed last year and have a sophomore class that could be the foundation of the program's rebuilding process.
"We've got 15 in the sophomore class, and they'll all play," Ward says. "The whole backfield is made up of sophomores, and they might carry us. The big difference from last year is we're not guessing anymore. We know what our kids can do."
* East Ridge, 11:29: The Pioneers opened their morning practice with an Oklahoma drill, designed to find out right away which players wanted to play with the physical style that coach Tim James teaches.
"That was just to set the tone," James says with a grin. "We didn't hit the whole time, but I wanted to start things off on the right foot."
The big position battle is at quarterback where four are competing for the starting job. One to watch there is Alonzo Russell, a gifted 6-2, 195-pound athlete who's being recruited by several college programs as a defensive back or receiver.
* Grace Academy, 11:59: Players coming off the field look exhausted after a three-hour workout. One of the city's most under-the-radar prospects is Golden Eagles quarterback/defensive back Cade Tinsley (6-2, 180), who's going to be a steal for whoever offers. Tinsley earned all-state honors last year and will carry much of the load for the Eagles as they continue to transition to Division II-A.
* East Hamilton, 1:07: Practice has just ended and already new defensive coordinator JD Dunbar and head coach Ted Gatewood are going over a few things they want to work on for the next day. After last year's disappointing finish, Gatewood couldn't wait to get back out on the field.
"You just want to hurry up and fix it," Gatewood says. "When you're a competitor those type seasons leave a bad taste in your mouth."
One of the pictures hanging over Gatewood's desk is Red Bank's legendary former coach Tom Weathers being carried off after his 100th win in the mid-1980s. Like so many coaches spread across the area, Gatewood, a 1983 Red Bank graduate, played for Weathers.
* Ooltewah, 1:48: New head coach Scott Chandler and two assistants are watching video after the day's practice. Chandler hopes to see what a healthy Sincere Quinn (6-0, 185) can do this year. In just 16 quarters last season Quinn ran for 1,500 yards. He's a special runner when healthy and motivated. His brother, Malachi Quinn (6-2, 215) could be in line for a breakout season at defensive end and tight end.
Also back after missing last season with a knee injury is receiver/safety T.J. Taylor, who brings plenty of speed to both positions.
"He doesn't look like he missed a beat," Chandler says.
* Silverdale Baptist Academy, 2:16: The Seahawks like the talent they've got at linebacker and on the offensive line but will need to settle on a quarterback over the next few weeks before the season kicks off. There's a three-way battle among juniors Jordan Sanders and Wade Jwell and sophomore Brian Hartnert, each of whom brings a different style to the position.
* Tyner, 2:37: Praise doesn't come easy from veteran Rams coach Wayne Turner, but he has a tough time holding back an ear-to-ear grin when asked about the amount of talent returning from last year's Class 2A state runner-up.
"The kids are confident and they're hungry to make a return trip and finish with a championship," said Turner, the area's dean of coaches with 26 seasons at the school. Tyner brings back seven starters to both sides, but Turner gets the team's attention on just the second play when he stops practice and orders everyone to run because he doesn't like the way his offense came out of its huddle.
"We just needed to refocus their enthusiasm," Turner says.
When the Rams decide to run power, they'll line up with Tyon Young (6-0, 225), Solomon Bridgeman (6-4, 215), Kamden Edwards (5-11, 205) and Martavius Ryles (6-1, 190) in the backfield.
"We can come at you with a load, and I'd say people will get tired of trying to stop that," Turner adds.
* Central, 3:15: As he prepares to begin his second stint directing the Purple Pounders, Curt Jones welcomes back 15 starters and one of the area's largest linemen - 6-1, 371-pound Wyatt Garrett, who moves well for his size.
Besides the high number of returners, Central also has a healthy Rashaun Evans (5-9, 195), who can flat-out fly.
"This team has more overall team speed than any I've coached," Jones says. "I've seen some of the preseason rankings where we're picked to be in the top 10 in the state. There's no need to shy away from it: We've just got to keep working to live up to our potential."
* Hixson, 4:36: There is reason for optimism, including the return of senior fullback/defensive end Malachi Wise (6-3, 220), who's drawing interest from several college programs, and junior noseguard Devotis McCurdy, who at 5-11, 280 pounds can do a perfect backflip on command.
* Soddy-Daisy, 5:13: How many guys will it take to replace Mr. Versatile Ty Boeck, who played every offensive skill position and led the area in tackles last year?
"I'm not sure, maybe five or six," jokes Trojans coach Justin Barnes. "We haven't figured that out yet, but you don't just replace all that Ty did with one guy.
"We're young up front, so that's where we need to work to find out what we have before the season. I really like our skill-position guys. We've got some sneaky fast guys."
* Howard, 5:54: The Hustlin' Tigers are getting in a quick lift before going out on the field, and second-year coach John Starr makes no bones about the improvement he expects to see.
"Our senior class is extremely talented, but if they don't learn to do things the right way they'll stand next to me on the sideline and we'll play the younger guys who are doing it right," Starr says.
As junior running back/defensive end Devonte Smith (6-0, 220) walks past, Starr winks and nods in the kid's directon.
"That guy could be special for us," Starr adds. "He's relentless and just plays so hard and fast."
* Lookout Valley, 6:25: David Dinger is back for his third head-coaching stint at his alma mater and has as good a group of linemen - on both sides - as the program has seen.
"As far as our size and depth up front, we should be good there," Dinger says. "We already had some guys coming back who can play, and there are a couple of transfers that have mixed well."
The defensive line will average 220 pounds, helped by newcomers Keith Sanders (6-3, 240) and Dylan Anderson (5-11, 295). Another newcomer who should contribute on each side of the ball is running back/safety Travis Qualls.
* Whitwell, 7:14: The Tigers reached the state quarterfinals last year, and with a returning backfield that includes Hudson Petty (6-1, 190) and Josh Wingo (6-1, 205) and a defense led by linebacker Thundur Roberts (6-1, 190) - each an all-state caliber athlete - the team has the talent to make a much deeper run.
The offense averaged 41 points and the defense prevented six opponents from scoring a touchdown on the way to an 11-win season.
"After winning so many games by wide margins, the experience and leadership coming back is a big reason to be optimistic," Tigers coach Randall Boldin says. "Even last year's reserves saw plenty of action, and that should pay off this year. All the kids know our system, and we know what they're capable of."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.