EAGLES OPEN FALL PRACTICES

Despite the rain, the Southern Boone Eagles football team will begin their fall practice schedule Monday with a weight-lifting session followed by a non-contact practice.

“We will still be in our shells (helmets/pads and shorts) as the rules dictate that we adapt to the heat before full contact,” coach Trent Tracy said last week.

The Eagles will have an inter-squad scrimmage on Saturday morning and will host a jamboree on Friday, Aug. 12.

Returning to the SoBoCo lineup this year is plenty of talent at the skills position – quarterback Spencer Taggart and running backs Tanner Smith, Jackson Sartain and Colby Phillips – but a number of untested linemen.

The Tri-County Conference will be a battle again this season with Blair Oaks – a district winner last season – favored to win again.

After winning a playoff game at California last year, the Eagles are hoping that momentum will carry them into the 2016 season and into a new district.

SoBoCo will play in Class 3 District 6 – along with Blair Oaks, Christian High, Fulton, Missouri Military Academy, Winfield and Wright City.

• In this, a re-classification year, only Southern Boone and Blair Oaks (District 6) and Eldon and Osage (District 3) will represent the Tri-County Conference in Class 3.

The California Pintos, Versailles Tigers and Warsaw Wildcats will play in Class 2, District 4 and Hallsville will play in Class 2, District 5.