They’re not playing games, running races or jumping into the pool just yet. But high school sports are back.

Football practice for South Puget Sound League schools and their counterparts across the state begins today, as players and coaches prepare for season openers that are set for the first weekend in September.

The other six sports on the fall calendar – cross country, golf, girls soccer, girls swimming, boys tennis, and girls volleyball – begin practice next Monday. They have a few extra days to get ready for turnouts because their sports do not require as many practices (10) as does football (12) to be eligible for competition.

The SPSL North will have a new “old” look this season, as Auburn and Auburn Riverside climb back to the Class 4A level and return to the North. That means certain competitions, such as the annual Taylor Trophy football game between Auburn and Kent-Meridian, not only will play for the prize, but also will count in the standings. That game is scheduled for Sept. 19 on K-M’s home turf at French Field.

Football season opens on Thursday, Sept. 4 with Auburn Riverside at Kent-Meridian and Auburn at Federal Way. Kentlake and Kentridge get together in their season opener the following night at French Field, and Tahoma visits Jefferson the same night. Kentwood gets going on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Qwest Field against Class 3A powerhouse Kennedy in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic.

The North will consist of the four Kent district schools, Tahoma, Auburn and Auburn Riverside, Jefferson and Federal Way. Decatur, in the North tfor several years, switches to the South.

Other sports open league competition after football starts: boys tennis on Sept. 8, golf on Sept. 9 (Sept. 11 in SPSL 3A), girls soccer on Sept. 9, girls swimming on Sept. 11, cross country on Sept. 24 (a nonleague round is set for Sept. 17) and volleyball on Sept. 24 (nonleague matches start Sept. 9 in 3A and Sept. 16 in the North).