SPORTS EDITOR
JACK STALLARD Welcomes his 35th preseason football preview as the 2021 season approaches
Brandon Tennison of Gilmer
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East Texas Football Preview | The Zone
I
got married in February of 1998, and six months later it was football season. When I was handed a copy of the Longview News-Journal's preseason football section a week before the season started in 1998, I jokingly told my lovely wife it felt like I had given birth to my 12th child (my first came as sports editor at the Kilgore News Herald back in 1987). I was at the same time nervous, tired and proud and anxious to see what the coming weeks held. Rachel let me continue to make that little joke until our son, Kyle, was born the week the 2001 football season opened. I won't tell you the actual threat, but I was smart enough to listen when she lovingly told me I should never again compare producing a football magazine to bringing a child into the world. You are holding in your hands the 35th preseason magazine or section I've helped produce. It's not a living, breathing thing, but after more than three decades in this business I'm still nervous, tired, proud and anxious. And, I bet I'm not the only one. The 2021 season arrives this week, and in the following pages you'll find everything you need to know to get you ready for that season. It's not a child, but I promise it is a labor of love for those who worked on this magazine. The folks who sold advertising, the writers, the photographers and the designers are truly the best of the best, and I hope you enjoy it and use it throughout the season to keep up with your favorite team. When the season begins, look for weekly issues of The Zone to preview upcoming games, great game coverage through words, photos and videos both in print and online, Player of the Week selections, the weekly #bEASTTexas Fabulous 15 Poll and much more. I welcome your comments and questions now and throughout the season, but for now, good luck to your team from our team.
