Football has emerged as a hot subject of conversation among sports fans even though the start of the college season is a month away.

SEC Media Days in Birmingham earlier this month had a lot to do with pushing the popular sport to the forefront of attention. For four days, media representatives from throughout the nation listened to head coaches from all 14 SEC schools, asked them questions and followed up by picking their choices for pre-season honors.

Alabama edged out Auburn as first place finisher in the West Division, while the Tigers nipped the Tide as the choice for SEC Champion. Georgia tallied the most votes as the projected East Division winner.

Sports writers stopped short of giving Alabama the nod to repeat as SEC champs because of its lack of a seasoned quarterback. A transfer senior and three underclassmen are competing for the position. College players will start fall practice the first week in August and open the season the first week in September.

The return of Friday night high school football in Morgan County is also generating lots of excitement.

All seven high schools will start anew August 3, regardless of last season’s records as they begin pre-season preparations for the 2015 season. Some of the teams will play in pre-season games on Aug. 21, and all teams will begin their season on Thursday and Friday, August 27 and 28.

Head coaching changes, season turnarounds and competition for the post season playoffs are storylines that will be art of the high school season.

Both West Morgan and Brewer have new head coaches and will be focused on getting losing programs turned around. Priceville and Falkville will be counting on seasoned quarterbacks to lead them to winning seasons. Kaleb Barker will resume his role as the Bulldogs QB after missing the 2014 season with a knee injury. Ryan Sullivan will direct the Blue Devils as a third year quarterback.

Hartselle’s Tigers are gearing up for another playoff run in the tough 6A, Region 8 battle.

Best wishes for success to all of Morgan County football teams in 2015.

Clif Knight is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.