Then-Eagan boys' soccer coach Bulut Ozturk walks down the line of prospective players at the start of practice last year. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Monday is the first day of practice for most high school fall sports in Minnesota. Some key dates:

FOOTBALL

Aug. 29-30: First games for most teams Oct. 16: Final regular-season game for most teams Oct. 22: First day of playoffs except Class 6A Oct. 25: Opening round of Class 6A playoffs Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Section championship games Nov. 7-9: State quarterfinals, various sites Nov. 14-16: State semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium Nov. 29-30: Prep Bowl, U.S. Bank Stadium

VOLLEYBALL

Aug. 22: First allowed date for matches Oct. 21: First date of section playoffs Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Section finals Nov. 7-9: State tournament, Xcel Energy Center

SOCCER

Aug. 22: First allowed date for games Oct. 7-8: Section playoffs begin Oct. 15-17: Section finals Oct. 22-24: State quarterfinals, various sites Oct. 29-30: State semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium Oct. 31: Championship games, U.S. Bank Stadium

CROSS-COUNTRY

Aug. 22: First allowed date for meets Oct. 23-25: Section meets Nov. 2: State meet, St. Olaf College, Northfield

GIRLS' TENNIS

Aug. 15: First allowed date for matches Sept. 30-Oct. 4: First week of section tournaments Oct. 22-25: State tournament, Baseline Tennis Center (2A) and Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center (1A)

GIRLS' SWIMMING

Aug. 22: First allowed date for meets Nov. 6-9: Section meets Nov. 14-16: State meet, University of Minnesota Aquatic Center

ADAPTED SOCCER

Sept. 3: Official start of practice Sept. 12: First allowed date for games Nov. 22-23: State tournament, Stillwater High School

Upcoming Star Tribune coverage

Opening day live blog: As teams begin practice Monday, look for photos, social media and more at startribune.com/preps.

Aug. 26-29: Football preview week Sept. 3-4: Fall sports previews

about the writer

More from Sports

Vikings