The Iowa High School Athletic Association on Thursday began preparing for the 2019 football season by releasing key dates and schedules for both the pre-season and post-season.

The IHSAA has declared Monday, August 12th as the first legal day of practice for teams that start play in week one (week zero teams begin a week earlier). The Association permits a staged ramp-up for equipment coverage and contact time for players, beginning with just helmets and culminating in the first full-pads practice on Saturday, August 17th. However, the Bears will take the practice field prior to August 12th for their usual state-allowed camp sessions. The full list of practice dates and allowed contact can be found on the IHSAA's website.

Also announced is the first legal playing date for schools playing week one, which is set for Thursday, August 29th. As expected, that puts the Bears' first game of the 2019 season on Friday, August 30th as the team will travel to West Liberty. The first legal playing date for the 2018 season was August 23rd, but the 2019 season resets the schedule back almost an entire week.

Additionally, the IHSAA released the post-season schedule. The schedule for Class 1A, the class the Bears play in, is as follows:

• 1st Round: Friday, November 1 - 7:00pm
• Quarterfinal Round: Friday, November 8th - 7:00pm
• Semifinal Round: Saturday, November 16th - 10:00am and 1:00pm
• Championship Round: Friday, November 22nd - 10:00am

While we're still seven months (and at least 80 degrees) from the start of the season, the 2019 Varsity schedule can be seen on the Schedules page.