I have probably used that same phrase “that time again” before, probably many, many times. Hey I am a man of limited abilities, so if it gets the point across without additional verbiage, why not continue to use it? 
Greg Manior’s football Gamecocks put on helmets Monday. They may hit on Aug. 1. Billy Pollock’s Lady Gamecocks, maybe an equally anticipated sport, may start on Aug. 1 as well.
For football, crunch time is drawing near. That is the time when, in 100-plus degree weather, you don pounds and pounds of gear (which weighs more at the end of practice than at the beginning) and pound on each other. It is time to find out who is who in the zoo. It most certainly is not for everyone.
Manior says he has had 60-70 kids per workout leading up to this week, when preparations begin in earnest. He has been “pretty satisfied” with the passing league which ended Tuesday. 
“The defense is understanding coverages, which is the main purpose of this for them,” Manior said. “We are running more precise routes and our quarterbacks are beginning to find open receivers.  I think we are ahead of where we want to be.”
That sounds really good. The passing game seems to be what folks really want to see become an interval part of the Gamecock attack. I say “whatever works.” From the fan prospective, things have not really worked since 2003 have they?
A question I always ask of a coach at this time of year is something to the effect of “have the folks been coming out that we need to have out?” In other words, have the projected starters been showing up in the weight room on a regular basis? 
I ask that question because of past experiences. My first thoughts when I ask that question go back to my sophomore season at SCHS. That would be the dark ages of 1972. We were coming off a spring jamboree that saw us win over Statesboro, Bradwell Institute and Waynesboro. All were region games “back in the day.” 
Between early March (when spring football took place) and summer camp, 21 players decided not to play. 
Gene Ballard wrote in the Augusta Chronicle that fall, “Don’t talk to Screven County Coach Donald Toole about counting your chickens before they hatch, he’s liable to hit you.”
Greg Manior says, “For the most part the group who are going to play have been here. There have been some vacations and some work schedule problems, but overall I have been pleased.”
Remember football is not for everyone. The path to football glory is littered with “All-Spring” candidates who can excel when the temperatures are much milder. Now is the only time that truly counts. As a former coach I do not want to hear about what one did in spring football practice.
In case you missed it, with the first of two furlough weeks coming at the beginning of school, kids do not report to class until Aug. 9. From a football coach’s standpoint, that is actually good news. 
Under recent schedules, the first day to conduct full contact drills has basically coincided with the first day of school. No more two and three-a-days. Not this year.
On Sunday, Aug. 1, the team will pack its stuff on a big yellow bird and travel to camp in metro Hiltonia. They will be there until Wednesday. 
For the first time in their high school career, this year’s Gamecocks, freshmen through seniors, will be at camp. I love it. Think of it you folks from long ago and not so long ago. 
On the field at 6 a.m. to practice and, only then, breakfast. Manior says players are already asking, “You mean we have to practice before breakfast?” Not a big deal to a lot of former players.
Beginning Aug. 1, the GHSA allows teams to hit for three of five days. Manior says that Sunday will be in shorts only. Hitting will most certainly take place Monday and the final practices on Wednesday before the team comes home. What the Tuesday schedule is remains to be seen with Thursday, back on campus, shorts.
To throw a couple of other things out -- not all is football with me. You will hear plenty about softball.
Not only is it the 10th season of fast pitch (that means a trip through the past and the six state playoff seasons in nine years). Right now I will talk to you about that sport quicker than football. 
Soccer, (yes a spring sport) which will no longer have to compete against the quartet of private schools from Savannah recently had three players named to the All Area team put together by the Augusta Chronicle. Then-senior Megan McGuire, rising senior Rochelle Shuman and rising junior Jessica Markovcic were tabbed honorable mention by that publication.
Did I mention that another defending region champion, the SCHS cheerleaders, are hard at work on defending their region title? All defending region champs at SCHS this year are of the girls’ variety.  Will any boys’ teams step up to the plate?
Anyway, glad to be back.

Burton Kemp Jr. is a contributing writer to the Sylvania Telephone.