High School Football

On Monday, practice began for the high school teams of Section II. In this area, one of the most intriguing teams year in and year out is the Saratoga Springs varsity Blue Streaks. This fall promises to be even more interesting as local coaching legend Blase Iuliano has stepped down after 37 years at the helm.

No need to worry Blue Streak fans because he’s got one heck of a replacement in longtime assistant, Terry Jones.

With the opening week of games set for Aug. 31, you will be reading more and more about Saratoga and the other local teams in the pages of this newspaper.

After a one-year hiatus, I’m looking forward to patrolling the football sidelines once again.

Fantasy Football

Before the high school season begins, I’ve got to start thinking about fantasy football and the National Football League.

I consider myself lucky to have a group of friends that have remidned tight since high school. It’s escaping me how long we’ve been playing fantasy football, but I know it’s been a number of years now.

I received a phone call Tuesday morning from friend, Paul Onyon, Jr. He informed me that we would be pulling cards to find out selection order for our upcoming draft on Travers Day (Aug. 25).

Most years, we do that on draft night, but the other owners were getting a bit antsy and wanted to start strategizing about who they’re going to pick and when.

I’ve had more luck over the years waiting until the last possible minute, though I’ve become the Buffalo Bills of this league, losing in the Fantasy Bowl each of the last two seasons.

This is an eight-team league and I drew the No. 7. I’m not too jazzed on this spot. My preference is to be more in the middle.

I was No. 4 last year and got Peyton Manning. While most fantasy fans are super-high on the running back position, after  LaDainian Tomlinson, I think there are too many question marks.

Larry Johnson has been a holdout and I’m not ready to crown Steven Jackson the next Marshall Faulk just yet.

There’s a chance that Manning could slip to No. 7, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m willing to talk trades to move up.

Madden Football

This is the one that gets me in trouble with my girlfriend, but I’m psyched the newest Madden came out on Tuesday. I have not yet upgraded my video game system - it’s a Playstation 2 - and probably never will, but I have to buy this real soon.

Giants Football

I’m kind of down on the New York Giants this season. Maybe that’s why I still haven’t made it  to training camp at my alma mater, UAlbany. If I do get down there next week, you will read about it in here.

I just can’t understand why we kept Tom Coughlin. We’ve also seen the regression of Eli Manning and instead of punishing quarterback coach Kevin Gilbride, he’s been promoted to offensive coordinator. Go figure.

I miss you Tiki.

Though I will also miss the horses, I’m looking forward to a fall full of football.

Sports editor Eric DeGrechie can be reached at 581-2480 and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it