Well, well, well, what have we here.

As I was soaring through the air the other day — you know, just kinda showing off — I was nearly clipped by an unidentified flying object.

A brown thing, with this goofy oblong shape, all neatly laced up ... My goodness! It was a football.

It can’t be. So soon?

It’s still the heat of summer. Believe me, I dream of shedding feathers every day.

The high school football season begins Friday night — with four games on something called Week Zero.

It seems that teams have a choice of partaking in a second scrimmage or beginning their regular season one week early. A handful of our teams have chosen the latter.

Knoch and Butler are playing each other Friday night, too, but it’s a scrimmage. They might want to consider making that an opening game next year.

Could draw quite a crowd.

But that’s next year. It’s time to hone in on this year.

Here are my picks.

And remember ... The bird is the word.

Hampton at Mars — Two former Greater Allegheny Conference foes who are conference rivals no longer because of the PIAA’s new six-division format.

The rivalry goes on for another year, however, thanks to that good ole’ Week Zero option.

Hampton has one of the brightest coaches in the WPIAL in Jacque DeMatteo. The guy always gets the most out of what he’s got.

Mars has one of the most successful active coaches in the WPIAL in Scott Heinauer. And Heinauer has running back Isaiah Johnson, the county’s leading scorer.

Johnson’s a difference maker and he will be just that on Friday. MARS, 24-23.

Armstrong at Karns City — Zane Dudek, Zane Dudek, Zane Dudek.

The Gremlins are probably tired of hearing that name by now. But he is the WPIAL’s returning rushing leader, having churned out more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

How’s that saying go? You can’t stop Dudek. You can only hope to contain him. He’ll probably score a couple of times, at least.

KC is talented, but may need a couple of games to get all of its pieces in the right spots with the right groups.

The timing is right for the visitors. ARMSTRONG, 29-21.

Reynolds at Slippery Rock — The Rockets have a new coach and pretty much a new backfield. Reynolds is returning two experienced game-breaking type players offensively.

That experience will be a big factor in Week Zero. REYNOLDS, 22-9.

General McLane at Grove City — The visiting Lancers have a powerful program that is accustomed to winning. The host Eagles return a standout quarterback and their top four receivers.

Grove City will score points in this game. But its defense allowed more than 30 points seven times a year ago. McLANE, 34-18.

Scoop is undefeated so far this season