Important high school dates approaching

The weather is getting hot. The dog days of August are here. But it won't be long before high school athletes are taking to the practice fields and the gymnasiums around Montana and on the Hi-Line.

The first official date on the MHSA calendar is Aug. 12. That is when high school golf is allowed to begin practicing.

The Havre High golf team will have a new head coach this season, and the Blue Ponies will also host a pair of varsity meets in Havre this fall.

The Class A and Class AA golf seasons can officially begin regular competition on Aug. 16.

Aug. 13 is another big day for high prep athletes and coaches. That is the day when football practice is allowed to begin for Class A, AA and Class C 8-man schools.

On Aug. 16, Class B and Class C six-man football teams can begin practicing, as can volleyball and cross country squads.

The Havre High football team is under the direction of first-year head coach Jason Christianson, and the Ponies will open their season on Saturday, Aug. 28 against Northwest A rival Whitefish.

The opening day for football, cross country and volleyball is Aug. 27, although Class B and six-man football doesn't begin competition until Sept. 2.

All student-athletes in any fall high school sports must have a completed physical exam before they can participate.