It’s July and that means we’re one month away from the first day of full practice for high school football. Until then, teams all across the state will do what they can to prepare for the 2009 season.

But as the final weeks of summer wind down, there are a lot of questions up in the air.

Will Montevallo have enough bite?

Montevallo will have talent remaining from last year’s team that started out strong and finished in a cast. If Montevallo’s new coach can keep his players off the training table, then the Bulldogs should have the tools they need to make a run in the region. However, installing a new system this late in the summer is never easy.

Can Martin revamp his record?

Calera’s new head coach Scott Martin is a nice guy, no question about it, but does he have what it takes to keep Calera on the path it has been on in recent years? He’s sticking with the spread, which the kids love, but changing it up a little more to represent a Gus Malzhan system that helped Toledo become one of the most productive offenses in the nation last year.

Will the Rebels rise?

He has a state championship under his belt, but what does new Coosa Valley head coach Vince DiLorenzo bring with him to the Rebels this year? CVA was a few good plays from the playoffs last year, and with DiLorenzo in control of the team, he may be able to push his way into the hunt in AISA Class A this fall. But just because he’s a 6A coach, don’t get too excited yet, Rebel fans. Give him a few years, though, and the Rebels may be back to the good old days.

Are the ’Cats a one-hit wonder?

Shelby County went 11-0 before losing in the second round of the playoffs last year. Can the Wildcats make another run this year without Darion Sutton? You bet. The ’Cats will have most of its supporting cast returning, including a great offensive line.

Once the season gets going Aug. 28, the next 10 weeks will be worth watching.

Outside the Lines is a weekly opinion column.