MONROE — The 2024 fall sports season officially kicked off Aug. 6 with the first football practices.

Monroe football spent the first half of practice testing standards such as 40-meter dash, pro agility and bench press before football drills. The Cheesemakers’ first action will be a scrimmage against New Glarus on Friday, Aug. 16. Week 1 of football begins Friday, Aug. 23 with an away game at Lodi.

Darlington girls golf, the only local golf team in the area, starts practice on Monday, Aug. 12 with its first competition on Friday, Aug. 16, a home meet with Mount Horeb and Southwestern-Cuba City-Benton.

Swimming, 8-man football and girls tennis begin the following day, Aug. 8. Monroe girls tennis travels to East Troy for a two-day tournament Aug. 19-20, while Monroe-New Glarus swimming travels to Stoughton for the Badger Small Relays on Thursday, Aug. 29. Monticello, the only local 8-player football team, embarks on its first season, hosting Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah in Week 1 on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Cross Country, boys soccer and volleyball all begin practice the following week on Monday, Aug. 19. Monroe cross country begins its season with the Bruess Invite on Sept. 3, where Monticello-New Glarus, Belleville and Albany will also participate. Monroe soccer starts its season with a road game at Milton on Aug. 27, while the Monroe volleyball team hosts an invite on Aug. 31.

For full schedules and previews of the 29 local teams, pick up a copy of the Fall Sports Preview, available Aug. 17.