Union County high school starts football practice Monday.

High school football teams will hit the field on Monday to kick off the 2018 season. The season will commence earlier than normal this year with El Dorado opening play on Aug. 24 at Conway. The Wildcats will practice Monday at Memorial Stadium from 6:45 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.

With the renovations at the high school, El Dorado coach Scott Reed said the program is down to one practice field for both varsity and the ninth grade. That, in addition to the heat, pushed the practice times back into the evening. Another factor, he said, is the early start to the season.

"We have a week less to prepare so things will be condensed a little more. In the past, it seemed like summer camp kind of dragged out a little. But, when you've got a week less practice time, every day you get will be real important," Reed said.

"We can't afford to have a poor practice. We want to make sure we get as much quality as possible."

El Dorado expects to have 95 athletes report on Monday. With dates against 7A Conway and Cabot and improved Camden Fairview, Reed said this could be the most difficult non-conference schedule his team has faced.

But, the coach liked how the Wildcats looked over the summer and is looking forward to getting on the practice field.

"I think the difference this year is we've got a number of new faces at a number of positions so it'll be very competitive," he said.

Around Union County on Monday, Parkers Chapel practices from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. Smackover and Junction City both start at 8 a.m. Strong is scheduled to go from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.