Any true football fan celebrates the four seasons.

The preseason, the regular season, the postseason and the offseason.

For Richmond Raider fans in Richmond County and elsewhere, the offseason officially came to an end on Monday when the Raiders reported to fall practice.

And to be honest, it didn’t really feel like football practice weather.

Sure, it was hot — the local temperature just reached 86 on Monday, with low humidity.

But I wasn’t complaining — and neither were the players. It’s a routine I experienced for three years as a player, and now for my ninth season as a sportswriter. The faces change — but the rituals and routines remain the same: Lines of players stretching out; whistles piercing the hot summer air; coaches barking instructions; players gulping down water as they fight the never-ending battle against dehydration.

It’s a grueling stretch meant to separate the players from the wannabes.

And if you make it through and get to don that uniform on Friday night, you know you’ve accomplished something special.

I arrived here at the end of last season, just in time for the first game of the 2009 playoffs.

So I just got an appetizer of what Raider football is all about.

But that small taste was enough for me to see that there’s really something special about Friday nights at Raider Stadium - or wherever else the Raiders happen to be playing.

Raider Stadium is really a great facility - I have covered a lot of football over the years, from high school to college and even some professional games.

And Raider Stadium puts even some college stadiums to shame.

So does the atmosphere.

The dawning of a new season is always a time of optimism. Everyone is 0-0; on paper, at least, everyone has a shot at the goal of a state championship.

In reality, few teams have a legitimate chance at that elusive dream each year.

But with the Raiders’ tradition — seven state titles and counting -— they seem to be in the conversation no matter what.

Looking at some of the preseason buzz from the Charlotte area, much of the focus there seems to be on Mecklenburg County teams: Butler and Independence, to be precise.

Butler, to be sure, is the reigning state champion, and as Ric Flair is fond of saying, “To be the man, ya gotta beat the man. Woo!”

But the Bulldogs have some uncertainty heading into the season, as it’s not sure whether they will have the services of quarterback Christian LeMay as a disciplinary issue is resolved.

Independence, meanwhile, must adapt to a new coach, as Bill Geiler takes over for Tom Knotts.

As the dog days of August roll on, and the players put on the pads and get after it, this year’s edition of the Richmond Raiders will begin to take shape.

The disappointment of last year’s third-round defeat by Indy will be but a memory, and this year’s Raiders will prepare for their Friday, Aug. 20 opener at home against Providence.

Seventeen days and counting. Are you ready for some football?

Contact sports editor David Vantress at 997-3111, ext.14 or via email at dvantress@yourdailyjournal.com.