The calendar may still say it is early August, but the high school sports season is ready to get rolling.

High school softball kicks off locally when North Hall plays host to Flowery Branch at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday. Also, Jefferson visits Morgan County, and White County opens the season at Union County.

Then on Wednesday, Banks County plays host to Chestatee at 5:55 p.m. in Homer. Also, the Lanier Point Invitational will be the meeting grounds of many high school programs starting Friday for this traditional early-season tournament. Teams in this season’s field include East Hall, West Hall, North Hall, Dawson County, Gilmer, Wesleyan, White County andHabersham Central.

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: The season also opens for high school players at the net this week. On Saturday, the Hall County Classic will be contested at the East Hall Community Center. Schools participating include Johnson, North Hall, West Hall, Jefferson, Chestatee, Buford, East Hall and Athens Academy.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The regular season is still a few weeks away, but some programs will hold their scrimmage game Friday night. Schools have the option to hold a scrimmage in either of the next two weeks.
In Class AAA, Gainesville visits St. Pius X at 7:30 p.m. Friday for a scrimmage date, while East Hall visits Chestatee. On Saturday, Lumpkin County scrimmages Jefferson at 6 p.m. In Class AA, Union County faces Murphy (N.C.) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and Banks County plays host to Franklin County. In Class A, Riverside Military plays host to Hebron Christian at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while Lakeview Academy plays host to Pinecrest Christian.
The regular season opens Aug. 27.

ATLANTA BRAVES: The Braves go on the road for a brief three-game road trip against the Houston Astros beginning today. Atlanta can only hope that it is more successful than its recent road trip that ended with a 3-6 mark. Today, Mike Minor — recently called up from the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves — will make his major league debut. He’s making the appearance instead of Kris Medlen, who awaits the verdict on whether his injured right elbow needs surgery. Atlanta won 13 of 14 appearances that Medlen started this season. He left the game with tightness in his pitching elbow last week against the New York Mets.

ATLANTA FALCONS: The Falcons will spend three days this week going against teams with a different jersey. Today and Tuesday, Atlanta will hold combined practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Flowery Branch. Both sessions each day are open to the public. On Friday, the Falcons play their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at 8 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.