CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — While the lights and cameras on media day can be bright, they're nothing compared to the Friday Night Lights, as the mentality moves from summer time to game time.
"I think the vibe definitely switched," claimed Northern York junior quarterback Grady Bonin. "Coming back from team camp, we had a good team camp at Lebanon Valley College, played some teams from Lower Dauphin and Hershey that we'll play this season."
Each Mid-Penn team has its goals set long before kick-off.
"I'm actually missing one," laughed Harrisburg senior wide receiver Quincy Brannon, as he glanced down at the district and state medals around his neck. "But we're adding another one this year for sure. This is our year for that state championship. I believe we can get it. I believe we can accomplish that goal."
"Our goal is to definitely go back and get that ring and state championship, and also destroy all of our opponents in the commonwealth," said Bishop McDevitt senior defensive end Lucas Lawler. "That's what we're looking forward to and that's what we're going to do."
But don't let the term 'offseason' kid you, as the game was never far from their minds after the clock hit zero last year.
"It started strong this winter with good weight room attendance," recalled Carlisle senior tackle Ryan Wolaver.
"Tuesdays and Thursdays we lifted and then afterward we did agility and team stuff, minor things on offense and defense," listed Red Land junior quarterback Quinlin Shearer.
"It's real professional," said Central Dauphin East senior running back Jared Porter of the Panthers' offseason conditioning program. "He takes us through what he takes his other guys through, like Mikah Parsons, so we're getting taught the best things that we can be taught."
"We've had seven-on-seven tournaments, team interactions," said Gettysburg senior safety Kyler Benedict. "We've been down to New Oxford and we were at Middletown on Monday."
"We were up at Penn State. There were Maryland teams there, there were seven-on-seven teams, not even school teams," said Central Dauphin senior quarterback Gavin Kirkpatrick. "Coach Franklin was right behind me watching me throw, which was awesome. He was sitting in his golf cart. It was pretty sweet."
But some teams also create a brotherhood by getting out and helping their communities.
"We had at least one player part of 80 community events this offseason, in fact, we're closing in on 20,000 hours of community service since we started 20 years ago and these guys put their stamp on it this year," stated Central Dauphin Head Coach Glen McNamee.
There will be time to talk X's and O's, as well as wins and losses throughout the season, but there has already been so much blood, sweat, and tears shed weeks before kickoff.