Welcome to the Star Tribune's high school football section, which is all about setting the stage for one of fall's grandest traditions across Minnesota.

Inside the section are previews of every metro-area conference, lists of top players to watch, predictions for how every team will finish, a preseason top-10 ranking and a full schedule of metro-area games.

We added features this year on five schools on markedly distinct paths to football success, and profiles about key players in five of the metro area's most prominent conferences.

During the regular season, we will feature a "spotlight game'' each week, previewing the teams before the game and giving the game more in-depth coverage afterward. We also will be at additional games to provide stories and photos.

Online, our popular website Minnesota Football Hub is devoted exclusively to telling the stories of Minnesota high school football. Find it at www.mnfootballhub.com.

Keep up with the latest scores and statistics of your favorite Minnesota teams with our MN High School Football Scoreboard app, available for iPhone and Android at startribune.com/footballapp.

Thank you for your commitment.

PAUL KLAUDA

Star Tribune high school sports editor