It may not feel at all like autumn, but practices for high school football teams began on Monday. The Hilmar Yellowjackets kicked things off with a practice that began at midnight. Turlock and Pitman, which will pursue the Central California Athletic League title, and Hilmar and Hughson, which will vie for the Trans-Valley League championship, kick off their respective campaigns on Aug. 18. Final scrimmages will be held Aug. 11-12 around the region. Be sure to watch for the Journal's special preseason issue, which will hit newsstands on Aug. 16.