Depending on who you ask, Monday marked the beginning of the 2011 football season. For others, it started several weeks ago, and the recent “dead period” was just a hurdle.

“We had probably the best June we’ve ever had,” Trigg County High School football head coach Shannon Burcham said. “We’ve got kids that have grown up and gotten stronger, and I think we’re going to be faster than we’ve been in a little while.”

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association mandates a period of time in the summer during which no team activities may take place. The end of that period was celebrated here with the start of the fourth annual Wildcat Youth Football Camp, as well as team activities with the middle and high school teams.

New rules, like the removal of 7-on-7 football from the pre-dead period agenda, have prevented what teams can do against other teams, Burcham said. However, the Wildcats were set to resume workouts Monday and compete 7-on-7 Tuesday through Thursday at Fort Campbell. The first official practice will be held Friday, and the ‘Cats will then travel to Greenwood for more 7-on-7 play on Saturday and then to Murray State on July 22.

Then, on July 29, the ‘Cats “will get to put the pads on,” Burcham said. That night will be Big Black Madness, which will feature live music, a video presentation and a chance for the community to see the team in action for the first time this year.

“We’re just trying to get some excitement out there,” Burcham said. “If there’s a business out there that wants to wear Football Friday T-shirts, the Booster Club is selling those for $5 each and not making a dime off of it. What we want is for businesses to get those shirts, and when someone comes into that business, let them know that it’s Football Friday and get them behind our kids.”

Preparations for the new season have been led by the same coaching staff as last season.

Burcham said the team will hold a fundraiser car wash Saturday, July 23 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Daily’s on Main Street.