Area athletes will open practices on Monday, Aug. 4, signifying the official start of the fall sports season.Warrenton will begin practice for five sports, while Wright City will kick off in four sports.The start date is considerably earlier than last year’s beginning date of Aug. 12, and Warrenton Football Coach Steve McDowell says he’s seen that date get progressively earlier since becoming a coach 25 years ago.“There have been a lot of changes, especially now as they try to accommodate the playoff dates,” said McDowell.Recent years have seen drastic changes to the football postseason format, and the latest change finds MSHSAA making an effort to schedule all playoff games on a Friday or Saturday, as opposed to the previous Wednesday/Monday format.McDowell anticipates fall sports practices may eventually push back into July.For his team and most, it won’t be the first time they have assembled this offseason. High school football teams were allowed 25 contact days this summer.The “two-a-days” system has changed considerably, though, from the traditional grind athletes used to face. MSHSAA now limits the daily practice time to three hours. Additionally, teams will start with non-contact practice, wearing helmets only the first three days. On Thursday they will progress into shoulder pads.The Warrenton football team will practice from 8 to 11 a.m. daily and will hold a scrimmage during the last hour of its practice on Saturday, Aug. 9.Activities director Bobby Spoonster believes this school year has the potential to be one of the best in recent history.“I think our numbers are going to be up across the board,” said Spoonster. “The kids are excited, and we’re seeing a lot of improved work ethic in the weight room. We hope that equals out to more success on the field.”Wright City will begin its football practices at 6 p.m. each evening. The Wildcats will host a meeting for football parents at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, in the high school library.Athletic Director Doug Smith says he is excited about the increase in participation the Wildcat programs have seen over the summer.“In softball and volleyball, we have really good numbers,” said Smith. “Some of our successes last year in different sports have created excitement, so hopefully that carries over.”Spoonster says he is eager to unveil several upgrades, including a facelift to the landscaping around the football field.Wright City will also begin practices for two others sports: softball, 3:30-6 p.m.; and volleyball, beginning at 3 p.m.. Cross country will start at a later date.Smith says the school has upgraded the football and track facility by installing a sidewalk around the fence joining the visitors bleachers to the home bleacher and concessions area.“That should make it a lot nicer and more convenient for spectators,” said Smith.Warrenton will host practices at the following times: cross country, 7-9 a.m.; soccer, 8-11 a.m.; softball, 3-5 p.m.; volleyball, 8 a.m.-noon.