We are now days away from the 2024 high school football season — a time of year filled with hope, promise and eager anticipation.

Athletes, coaches and fans are ready. The same could be said about The Messenger sports staff, which spent weeks preparing for the upcoming campaign by piecing together its 67th Football Preview.

That special edition arrives on your doorstep this Friday, with 64 pages of content covering our 18 area schools.

Comprehensive reports from Fort Dodge, St. Edmond and the 16 Messengerland programs are included in both story and photo form. Schedules and player breakdowns offer a taste of what’s to come from each squad.

The cover story is on the Algona football program and its impressive talent, led by Iowa State University recruits Alex Manske and Jordan Limbaugh.

This award-winning preview, which was first published in 1958, is a preseason staple for area readers. It is the oldest and last of its kind in Iowa.