Editor's note: High school football practice is under way, and Anniston Star Sports Writer Joe Medley has grabbed his pen, notebook, recorder and cell phone as he hits the road and visits every Calhoun County school’s football practice before the season begins. This is Joe's final report fro…

JACKSONVILLE — Look around Jacksonville High School’s football program, and it’s all there.

File this one under, “So you think you know what it’s like to be a high school football coach.”

AUBURN — Ball placement.

Pleasant Valley High School football players and coaches look forward to the day, sooner than later, when progress takes a form other than steel, iron and resolve.

PIEDMONT — Count on a lot from Piedmont in the Steve Smith era.

Way to go, Michael Jordan.

OHATCHEE — Keith Jackson called linemen “big uglies,” and big linemen helped Ohatchee’s “Ugly Eagle” offense get ugly against a lot of opponents the past two years.

Whether we agree with Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts criticizing his coaches for a lack of communication in comments to reporters this past Saturday, we at least should applaud him for how he said what he said.

The sports community in Calhoun and surrounding counties steps up well for charity. The Sunny King Charity Classic just raised a record $140,000 in July, and Saturday’s Woodstock 5K will raise money for The Arc of Calhoun and Cleburne counties.

The NCAA has changed its rules regarding kickoffs. A fair catch inside the 25-yard line will give the receiving team the ball at the 25.

There’s an acknowledgement in the concept behind LeBron James’ “I Promise School” for third- and fourth-graders in his native Akron, Ohio.

I split my college years between the University of Louisville, one of my home state’s two major sports powers, and Western Kentucky but graduated from Western.

JACKSONVILLE — Temporary fences still block off several buildings on Jacksonville State’s campus, including the dorm that doubles as JSU Stadium’s club and suites levels. The Houston Cole Library stands ominously without a roof, a tall construction crane its constant companion.

Isn’t it disappointing when a book you love gets made into a movie that’s ... mediocre?

A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine. As we talked about each other’s hometowns, she said something that made me laugh: “Weaver is country.”

Bryant Horn is, no doubt, happy to be getting on with his life after football.

Nick Saban called for playing an all-Power 5 schedule this week and did it out of concern for the good of the game. Just one thing.

With successful teams, it’s easy to look as much at what they aren’t doing well as what they are.