Coaches and players can do without the broiling August heat, but preseason football practice is something they look forward to every season.

It's the time of year when they're undefeated and can focus on making their own teams better instead of worrying about opponents. And they have less than a month to do just that before the regular season starts.

"What I enjoy the most is the excitement of starting a new season," said Creekview coach Al Morrell, who is only returning three starters on offense and three on defense. "During the first couple of weeks, there isn't as much pressure as there is, week to week, when you're getting ready for an opponent. As a coach, I look forward to being around the kids every day."

Creekview is returning quarterback Cody Allen and running back Eric Smith, as well as a few familiar faces at linebacker and the secondary, but there will be inexperience at the remaining positions.

Knowing there would be new faces on the depth chart in 2010, Morrell kept them busy in the offseason by putting them on a four-times-a-week conditioning plan that began in January. The Grizzlies also attended two camps over the summer and will continue rehearsing the fundamentals before opening at Sequoyah on Aug. 27.

Woodstock, which was the most successful Cherokee County team last season with a 10-2 record, is in good shape defensively but has just three starting players returning on offense - tailback Tanner Skogen, offensive lineman A.J. Barabas and quarterback Kevin Bolak.

Next week will be another week at the drawing board for the Wolverines, who attended two summer camps and hosted their own camps where they spent the night at the school.

New head coach Brent Budde, the former defensive coordinator who succeeded Mike O'Brien after his retirement, said Woodstock progressed over the summer against some of the top teams in the state. Their preseason goal is to make improvements and be fundamentally sound before their Aug. 27 opener at North Forsyth.

"They're hard-working, they have passion for the game, and they're smart," Budde said. "That combination makes it really to coach, and it makes it enjoyable.

"I just hope we cut down on the mental mistakes (during the first two weeks) and limit turnovers in practice. I just want to see them get better every day. That's all we talk about."

Etowah, coming off four straight postseason appearances under coach Bill Stewart, is returning most of its skill players from last year, led by quarterback Braden Nolan and running backs Ryan Wilborn and Jason Holdway.

But the Eagles will have to replace the majority of an offensive line that was vacated by graduation, and the next two weeks will give them an indication of how strong they'll be up front. As of spring practice, Bryan McCulloch is the lone returning lineman for Etowah, which opens the season Aug. 27 against Berkmar at Eagle Stadium.

Cherokee, which finished 4-6 last season, is looking to build upon the latter half of 2009, when it won four of its last six games and nearly made the playoffs after going winless in 2008.

It may be tough to do without tailback A.J. Redwine, who transferred to Kell over the summer. But the Warriors still return quarterback Dylan Haynes, fullback Jonathan Byers and three starters on the offensive line. Cherokee also returns defensive lineman Zach Brigham and Patrick Beal.

The?Warriors will also have the least amount of time before their regular-season opener, hosting North Forsyth on Aug. 20.

After Sequoyah came up a game shy of making the playoffs last season, the Chiefs' primary concern is replacing their two-headed monster in the backfield. Dominique Swope transferred to Buford and Dalton Trevino is preparing for his freshman season at The Citadel.

The Chiefs do still have some experienced starters returning, led by quarterback Ben Rogers and eight players on defense.

River Ridge, under coach Robert Braucht, is making its varsity debut this fall and has a few promising athletes coming up that includes quarterback Jack Weeg and receiver Devon Moree.

The Knights will play a non-region schedule for the next two seasons before starting region play in 2012. They open the season with an?Aug. 26 home game against the Berkmar JV before beginning varsity play eight days later at Mount Pisgah Christian.