Mike Christensen

Every August, high school teams across the country end a special stretch of days known simply as "Hell Week."

It's a dose of two-a-day practices typically endured under a scorching August sun. It's a week of wear and tear on the body, a week of intense learning and chemistry building. It's not for the faint of heart.

In the world of sports journalism, we have a "Hell Week" of our own. It's the week where we not only put out a daily sports section, but also put together our annual 28-page football magazine. It's a week of coming into work before noon and leaving after midnight.

But like the "Hell Week," endured by the players, we fully embrace this unique challenge. While we know we couldn't keep up the pace week after week, for this special sequence of days we tackle it with enthusiasm.

This is football after all, and the next best thing to playing America's favorite sport is covering it.

We wrapped up the section Saturday night. On Wednesday, you'll find it inside your copy of the Times-News. Don't miss it.

We shook up the format this year, giving you the skinny on each team's offense and defense, as well as a season overview. You'll find team schedules, scouting reports, information and predictions. Oh, and lots of and lots of photos, too.

We've also included a bonus section covering in-state and regional college football. You'll find previews and schedules for Boise State, Idaho and Idaho State, as well as the Western Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference and Pacific 10 Conference.

For our NFL fans, we've included schedules for all 32 teams.

From the preps to the pros, it's covered in the magazine. We call it "MVP Football." You might call it a one-stop shop for getting primed for football season.

The best thing about "Hell Week"? We know that when it comes, the season's not far behind. The high school season kicks off Friday. College football goes full bore on Saturday. And the NFL is just a couple weeks away.

"Hell Week" is over. Heaven is here.

Let the games begin.

Mike Christensen may be reached at 208-735-3239 or sports@magicvalley.com.