It's finally here, FOOTBALL SEASON!

Well, at least for high school football.

As we kick it off tonight, here are some of my thoughts concerning the big games tonight.

Bath at Allen East

It's a shame that this series is coming to an end but it needs to.

While Bath had a rough stretch a few years back, Allen East has been dominated in the series with the Wildcats winning 12 of the last 15 meetings.

Bath will make it 13 of 16 by winning tonight but I do think Allen East is in a much better place than last year when they had significant injuries and were adjusting to new Head Coach Mike Abbey.

If Ross Stewart stays healthy Allen East could win a few games this year. Regardless if AE is to get the program back where it wants to be they need an easier game to open the season. To that end they'll begin a series with New Bremen next year. While the Cardinals are in the rugged MAC, they were still 0-10 last year.

As for Bath, it'll be tough to replace last year's huge senior class and they'll be lucky to match last year's 4-6 mark.

However, if they can win 4 or 5 games (or more) they will make the point that the program is on solid footing.

Otherwise we will be left to consider that the last two years of competitive football were simply the result of having one good class.

Elida at Piqua

The Bulldogs offense will take a big step back with the loss of QB Reggie McAdams, WR Austin Etzler and others.

The defense, which really came on late last season, is loaded and will have to be very good to contend in the WBL. That is especially true early in the season. The good news there is that there are couple of weaker teams from the league in Weeks 3 and 4 (St. Marys and Van Wert).

Elida is also in the same boat as Bath in the "program" area. If they can be competitive this year it will prove that there is a strong program in place. If not, we'll have to assume it was the product of McAdams and company and nothing more.

Shawnee at Marion Local

The Indians went 5-5 last year but were close to winning a couple of other games. This season they return 13 letterwinners and may be a darkhorse in the WBL.

For Shawnee, it always comes down to staying healthy. Despite their recent success the Indians roster has remained small over the years. Therefore key injuries have been very costly for the Indians.

Obviously Marion Local is stern test to open the season and a loss isn't the end of the world. Remember last season Shawnee beat the Flyers.

The 2011 Flyers came together as the season went on and eventually won the Division VI State Title. This season they should be up to speed from the beginning.

If Shawnee can beat them again, I think it will be more telling than last year.

Coldwater at Kenton

The Cavaliers were very much like Marion Local in 2011 as they bounced back from a season opening loss to Kenton (and a couple of other MAC losses) to make it to the Division V State Title game for the third straight season.

They return basically everybody and are my pick as the best team in the area (with all due respect to LCC).

Kenton will be a threat as they always are but i can't see them being dominant again this year.

Lima Central Catholic at Delphos St. Johns (Saturday)

The T-Birds have to deal with the loss of Michigan State Spartan Ty O'Connor at QB and also lost their starting tackles on the O-Line.

This team is loaded otherwise and will be faster than any team in the area.

I don't see them losing a regular season game. With that said, I'm not sure they'll be any better off when the postseason comes around because the rest of their schedule is weak and may hold back their development.

That's what everybody theorized when the Birds were taken out in the first round of the playoffs by Liberty Benton.

That loss and the T-Birds obvious superiority in the conference make the regular season an afterthought...after this game of course.

While the 'Jays figure to be down a bit, they still are more than capable of knocking off L.C.C. I don't think they will however.

St. Johns doesn't have the depth to two-platoon this year, which appears to be the beginning of a few years where their numbers will be down.

Here are our "expert" picks for these five games tonight.

Bath at Allen East: Walker, Mike Miller and Jason Aldrich all pick Bath.

Elida at Piqua: Walker picks Piqua; Miller and Aldrich pick Elida.

Shawnee at Marion Local: We all pick the Flyers.

Coldwater at Kenton: Walker and Miller pick the Cavs; Aldrich takes the 'Cats.

L.C.C. at DSJ: Walker and Aldrich take the 'Birds; Miller goes with the Jays.