Let's see...the first Monday in August must mean that football practice is starting.The San Saba Armadillos began practice last Monday with a new style of "two-a-days" mandated by the UIL. Gone are the two practices each day. Instead there is one practice and a session of either teaching/walk-through or meetings/film/weights on alternating days after the four-day "acclamation period" where no pads are used. The UIL put this rule into effect last Fall after the heat-related illnesses and deaths in the last few years. The ruling has met with some mixed feelings from coaches around the state because they feel it takes away some of the conditioning time used in the practice.San Saba dropped to class 1A for the first time since 1979 and is in a good position to make another strong run into the playoffs with 14 returning seniors and 16 returning lettermen. The Armadillos have the annual purple/gold practice on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. The first scrimmage will be in San Angelo on August 17th against Ozona Lions at 5:00 p.m. The teams travel to Comanche on August 23rd for the second scrimmage against the Indians.The regular season gets under way with the JV traveling to Tolar on August 30th to wrestle with the Rattlers. The varsity opens at Rogan Field the following night at 7:30 p.m.The remaining schedule has San Saba visiting the Early Longhorns on September 7th, followed by another road game in Ballinger on September 14th. The Armadillos return to Rogan Field on September 21st to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs. A visit to the defending 1A division 1 state champions is next when San Saba goes to the Puncherdome in Mason. The non-district finishes with Homecoming on October 5th and the Thorndale Bulldogs.Play in 1A division 1 district 5 opens on October 12th when the Dillos travel north to DeLeon and a tussle with the Bearcats. After the bye week, the Hico Tigers pay a visit to Rogan Field. November 2nd sees the annual "Battle of the River" against the Goldthwaite Eagles in Goldthwaite. The regular season ends with a visit from the Santo Wildcats.Tolar, Thorndale and Santo are new to the Armadillos this season. San Saba will be looking to make history by making the playoffs for the 4th consecutive year. Most experts expect the Dillos and the Eagles to decide the district title with Hico joining them in the playoffs. Come out and watch practice when you can and be at Rogan Field on August 31st to open the 2012 season against the Tolar Rattlers. WE ARE TOGETHER - WE ARE SAN SABA - NEW DISTRICT - NEW REGION - NEW CLASSIFICATION - SAME TRADITION.