Opening day for Section II gridders

La Salle players huddle around the Cadets' new misting fan during Monday's practice, the first of the season for high school football teams. Temperatures ranged into the low 90s with high humidity, leaving players across the Capital Region dripping in sweat minutes into morning sessions. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record)

Lansingburgh High players get a drink early during Monday's practice behind the high school. (Mike McMahon - The Record).

Troy High football players weave between dummies during the first day of practice. (Mike McMahon - The Record).

Cohoes High School lineman work on blasting out of their stances during the first day of practice on Monday. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

I visited seven different high schools on Monday and my colleague Andy Santillo dropped by two more, as we're preparing for our 48-page preview section that will hit the newsstands on Thursday, September, 3, a day before the games begin.

We'll have a story in Tuesday's edition of The Record about the four City of Troy teams trying to beat the heat and I'll keep you in touch with each of the 21 schools in our area in the days leading up to the release of our preview section. So make sure to check back to Off The Record often to see how your favorite team is shaping up for 2009.