​The long-awaited football season has officially made its return as two Walker County Football teams hit the field Monday for opening day.The first practice marks the unofficial end to summer, as workouts have wrapped up and training camp is a go. Teams will open in helmets before switching to pads later this week. The first official day permitted for contact is Aug. 8, for UIL activities.“We’ve done football everyday this summer, and I think the kids are just excited to do it with helmets on,” New Waverly coach Dean Schaub said. “I think they have retained everything and we are picking up where we left off. We are pleased as a staff for the first day.”Alpha Omega Academy returns this season with a new look as Allen Barnes has taken over the reins of the program. He did so after the team won the TAPPS DII Championship. With a majority of the roster still in place, the only thing that has changed is the head coach.New Waverly is coming off a 3-7 season that saw them miss the postseason for the first time since 2019. New Waverly will see a core of guys return, with 25 returners from last year. Of those, nine offensive starters will be back, with eight on the defense.Getting the Dogs back into the playoffs and setting themselves up for a deep run is key for this team.New Waverly will know its quarterback from the jump with Ryson Nunez taking the snaps under center for the Dogs this year. With an offensive line that isn’t being rebuilt, New Waverly will have to core to build on.“I think Ryson will progress much faster. He and coach Goodman are in sync with each other,” Schaub said. “He plays basketball for coach Goodman and they are always around each other. I think they have chemistry. Ryson is a leader and the kids looks up to him.”AOA will be looking for a third trip to the TAPPS State Championship, and will have a bulk of the guys back to do so. Quarterback Case Collum, receiver Huson Ramey and Austin McCaffety all return after the run last year. While they won a title, a game was dropped against BVCHEA and that still left a sour taste in their mouth.Now, the next few weeks will see practice continue until both squads get into live game action next week. New Waverly will open the season on Aug. 28 against Tarkington. AOA will open on Aug. 29 in the Allen Academy Kickoff Tournament.