ASHLAND — I love it when football season starts. It reminds me of a new television show starting its latest season.

And like every television show, football season has certain storylines fans love to follow.

So here are a few of the storylines that I’m tracking:

‰ Can Aaron Elam carry the Ashland load? Elam is a big guy with a big pair of shoulders.

He’ll have to use those big shoulders to carry the weight of replacing Sam Hunter, Ashland’s all-time leading passer.

He gets to make a first impression tonight against Lawrence County at home.

‰ Can Fairview repeat the success of 2011? Eagles’ coach Nate McPeek has a daunting task.

After going 10-0 in the regular season last year, his team returns a lot and adds some more.

Many are expecting a repeat of last year with tons of talent and a similar schedule as last year.

‰ Can the winless break the streak? Greenup County and East Carter each went 0-10 last year.

Both were under first-year head coaches and were devastated by injuries.

With the promise of a new season, is it possible the Raiders and the Musketeers to turn around their luck?.

‰ Can all the area teams get in the playoffs? Let’s be honest, it’s easy to get in the Kentucky high school playoffs.

Sometimes all a team needs is one win. We only had two area teams not make it to postseason last fall.

But this could be the year that all 13 local teams make an appearance in the postseason.

Game of The Week

‰ Lawrence County at Ashland, 7:30 p.m. kickoff

One team is breaking in a new quarterback, while one is breaking in an entirely new offense.

Ashland coach Leon Hart has never lost to Lawrence County entering his 10th season as the Tomcats’ coach, with a record of 5-0.

An while last year Lawrence County had the big guys up front, it’s Ashland who is the bigger team coming into this game.

To counter his team’s lack of size, Bulldogs’ coach Joe Cecil is implementing a new offense to the classic Wing-T, adding an option element to it.

Will it be enough for the Bulldogs to escape with a win from Putnam Stadium?

3 Things to Know

‰ Fairview returns two 1,000 yard rushers. Both are seniors and both are the perfect example of a 1-2 punch.

Fullback Chris Brewer is looking to rumble his way to a third-straight 1,000-yard season, while halfback Devon Turner is looking to use his speed and finesse to grab his second straight.

With a huge offensive line, a perfect offensive scheme and two determined runners, the Class A region could run through Westwood this year.

‰ Boyd County hasn’t won back-to-back season opening games since the 2005-2006 seasons.

New coach Ray Brooks though has a good chance in his first game as Lions’ coach to buck that trend against Shelby Valley.

The Lions will need a big game from Independent Football Tab cover boy Reid Dearfield and a stifling night from what Boyd County coaches are calling the fastest defense they’ve ever coached.

‰ Raceland’s T.J. Maynard has lost only one season-opening game as a head coach.

That game came in 2001 while he was at the helm at Greenup County. It was 20-19 loss to tonight’s opponent East Carter.

Since that loss Maynard-led teams have been dominant against the Raiders, including a 29-9 win to start last season.

Maynard will look to Daylin Beach and a stifling Rams defense to continue his streak of five-straight opening games wins in tact.

Shameless Plug

‰ The QB returns to Twitter for the season. So follow @DindependentQB, for score updates tonight.

For your ears only

Tonight’s radio coverage:

‰ Lawrence County at Ashland (WBVB 97.1-FM, WZAQ 92.3-FM); Raceland at East Carter (WUGO 102.3-FM); Shelby Valley at Boyd County (wlgcradio.com); West Carter at Fairview (WLGC 105.7-FM); Hayesville (NC) at Johnson Central (WSIP 98.1-FM); Nicholas County vs. Lewis County (WKKS 104.9-FM); Greenup County at Pike County Central (WZZZ 107.5-FM); Rowan County at Montgomery County on Saturday (WQXX 106.1-FM).

Final Thoughts

It seems like the season starts earlier and earlier each year and, honestly, it’s scary.

Heading to Greenup County High School the other day to do a story, I saw kids still playing organized baseball.

I love football, and I’m glad that we are strapping on the helmets again, but there is something we need to remember.

These are just kids. And the weather could reach as high as the eighties.

So let’s keep the kids safe and hydrated and most of all let’s enjoy some football tonight.

KYLE HOBSTETTER can be reached at khobstetter@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2658.