If you’re like me, then you can’t wait for the start of the high school football season. 

It’s just 15 days away when the games kickoff, but it seems like an eternity. But if you are itching to see some local pigskin now, you have a chance in the form of the Jacksonville Raiders semi-professional football team. 

The Raiders will play at Northside High School Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Hampton, Va. Crusaders. 

Both teams enter the Mason-Dixon Football League contest at 2-1 and with the way Jacksonville head coach John Davis spoke Wednesday, it has the makings of a competitive game. 

While the play on the field might not be as sharp as one would think when you feature the word ‘professional,’ locals will have an opportunity to see just plain out football. At this point, any type of football is fine with me. 

Also, seeing the Raiders will give some a chance to see how a handful of former area prep players are doing. The team consists of not only guys who once played in the county, but also of military servicemen who balance time defending our freedoms while also suiting up the helmets and pads. 

If anything else, watching them play will be a way to say thanks for all that they do for our country. 

Now back to the action.