The completion of the NBA Draft signifies the middle of summer in the sports world. The All-Star Game and trade deadline in baseball comes at the end of July to symbolize the final stretch but the middle of summer is when countdowns to football are officially acceptable.

Many local student-athletes are beginning to trade in their basketball shorts and jerseys from June play dates for a helmet and fitted football wear for 7-on-7 and talent camps in July.

Marching band members and cheerleading teammates are embracing the final days of their summer vacation. Workouts that might feel like they are going on too long will soon turn into normal practices in full pads again.

From this point on, all predictions for the season are acceptable. All excitement in waiting for Friday nights filled with action again are completely normal and understandable.

Student-athletes from other sports and school spirit leaders can begin thinking of the chants they’ll use in the stands on opening night because, in less than two months, the regular season will be in full swing.

Football season is a glorious four-month period that brings the entire community together over a span of weeks in the fall. The ticket tables, the concession stands, the security, the bright lights shining on the stadium’s field, few things truly top Friday Night Lights in the world of sports.

There’ll be much more talk of football as the days get closer to opening night but for now, know that your excitement and anticipation is understood. Let the countdown begin.