All the local football teams will open the season this year on "zero week," which is what the TSSAA calls the week before the regular high school season actually is set to open.

"Zero week," which is Aug. 21 this season, is set aside as an extra week for high school teams to schedule a 10-game slate, which is often difficult if not impossible for some schools to do if they try to fit 10 games into a 10-week season.

The only home game among the five schools that opening night is at Burley Stadium, where the Jefferson County Patriots will visit for the second straight year as Greeneville High's season lid-lifter. Last year Jeff beat the Devils 42-28.

The other four local teams hit the road. Chuckey-Doak goes to Unaka, North Greene makes the long trek to Sunbright, South Greene visits Unicoi County and West Greene plays at Hancock County.

Chuckey-Doak (vs. Unicoi), West Greene (vs. Cloudland) and North Greene (vs. Jellico) make their home debuts on Aug. 28, while South Greene doesn't have its home opener until Sept. 4 against district rival Cumberland Gap.

Continuing a look at football, which really isn't that far off, Tennessee's Volunteers, under new coach Lane Kiffin, will have eight home games this year, starting with the season opener Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky. They host UCLA Sept. 12. Then after a trip to "The Swamp" at Florida on Sept. 19, they are home for three straight against Ohio University, Auburn and Georgia.

On the other side of the spectrum, Coach Frankie DeBusk's Tusculum Pioneers only have four home games (Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne, Catawba and Mars Hill -- all conference matchups) on the agenda this fall.

Tusculum's 10-game season starts Aug. 29 at Charleston (W. Va.), with a trip to Urbana (Ohio) Sept. 19. The home opener is a television game set for Thursday night, Sept. 24, against league opponent Wingate.

The Greeneville Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up to host a bunch of baseball and softball tournaments over the next month.

Two district softball tournaments get things started next week at Hardin Park. The District 4 9-10 Softball Tournament starts Monday at Hardin's Old Field. Two teams from Greeneville, American and National, along with teams from Newport, Jefferson City, Rogersville and two from Morristown (American and National) will be participating.

The District 4 Senior Softball Tournament (13-14, 15-16) also begins Monday at Hardin's New Field. Greeneville, Morristown and Jefferson City will compete.

Two more tourneys are planned beginning July 6. The District 4 10-11 Little League tourney will be at Rotary Field in Hardin Park. Greeneville National and American, Morristown National and American, Newport, South Jefferson, Rogersville and Jefferson City will compete.

The District 4 Junior Baseball Tourney will be held at Dale Alexander Field starting July 6. Morristown American and National, Greeneville, Jefferson City and Newport will participate.

Winding things up will be the Tennessee State 11-12 Little League Tournament at Optimist Field, beginning July 18. Teams from across the state will be here for the double-elimination tourney, which will continue throughout that week and is expected to bring a lot of visitors into our fair city.