Now that the summer solstice has officially passed, that means the fall is getting closer by the day.

Today — Friday, June 22 — officially marks the nine-week countdown to the beginning of the 2012 high school football season, which opens in all of the Ohio Valley Publishing area at 7:30 p.m. on August 24.

Nine weeks between now and the beginning of a 10-week pursuit for gridiron glory, postseason berths and championships dreams. A total of 63 days to keep preparing in offseason workouts, hoping to gain a competitive edge on the field.

With the release of the 2012 football schedules — which are included by county at the bottom of this story — there are a total of 20 new opponents on the collective OVP slate compared to a year ago.

Point Pleasant — which makes the jump to Class AAA this fall — will have a half-dozen new opponents on its schedule this fall, due in part to no longer being a league member of the Class AA-only Cardinal Conference. The Big Blacks will also have only four home games over their 11 weeks of the season.

River Valley and Hannan will each have three new opponents on the gridiron, while Meigs and Eastern which both being taking on a pair of new football squads. Gallia Academy, Wahama, South Gallia and Southern also have one different opponent apiece this fall.

Meigs, River Valley and South Gallia are all scheduled to open new stadiums this year. The Marauders’ home opener will take place on August 24 when they host Coal Grove, and the Rebels open their new field that same night when they welcome Sciotoville East.

The Raiders have two straight road games to start the 2012 season and will welcome Meigs in Week 3 for the stadium opener.

And now, a county-by-county look at the upcoming football schedules for this fall.