Sometime between the time this column is being typed and time you're reading it, our website at www.farmvilleherald.com will be updated with a new look.

What that means for our valued readers is that we at The Herald will have another tool to get information out to our valued subscribers.

What that means in the for me, is that I can no longer call up the old sports webpage and scroll over my picture to see me looking up at me.

I'm going to miss me when I'm gone.

So will my daughters, who laugh uncontrollably whenever they see “daddy” looking up at them.

Nothing compares to hearing the laughter of children.

As we move forward in time, we realize that we need to connect with our readers in multiple ways. Always in print, and also as a supplement through other forms of media.

Since two of my three daughters aren't able to read, they'll have to resort to other ways to get their giggles from (or because of) me.

Recently, The Farmville Herald sports section joined facebook. The summer start allowed me to get into the habit of updating it at least semi-regularly.

As the fall sports season begins, updates will become more regular. Especially on Friday nights during football season.

We live in exciting times.

For my girls, unfortunately, the times won't be as funny. Neither will my picture on The Hearld website.

Speaking of football, I can usually get a good handle on things going into the season – especially in the James River District.

This year, I have no idea how things will turn out in the JRD.

Not a clue.

Buckingham lost a lot of key players from last year, but they could return enough from last year's JRD Championship team to repeat if the new players from the JV can get up to varsity speed quickly. Having six games to prepare for the district schedule will help.

Then, there's Cumberland. Last year was disappointing for the Dukes, who were beaten down in part by injury and what proved to be one of – if not the – toughest schedules in the state, regardless of classification.

Amelia, Central and Randolph-Henry? Just going on a mixture of what I've gleaned, what I've heard, and a combination of educated guesses and hunches (in other words, nothing concrete), all three should be as good, or better than in 2009.

Historically, the JRD champion has shown that it could compete with almost any team in the state, with the rest of the pack lacking something either tangible or intangible that stood between a .500 record and an unforgettable season.

This year, the only prediction I can feel comfortable in making, is that I expect the battle for the top to become quite crowded. Perhaps, that second or maybe even a third team could make some noise in the playoffs.

It might be the best football year for the James River District from top-to-bottom in recent memory.

And with Bluestone, Goochland and Nottoway either joining or rejoining the district in 2011 to form an eight-team league, it needs to be. Things will only get tougher from here on out.