PRIEST RIVER — Finally, after months of waiting and hoping, local sports are back.

For Priest River, it all starts at 9 a.m. Saturday when the Spartans cross country team travels to Bonners Ferry for a dual meet. Then on Tuesday, the Priest River boys and girls soccer teams take the field for their season openers. The girls will host Bonners Ferry at 5 p.m. The boys game against the Badgers will follow at 7 p.m.

Priest River Athletic Director Matt George has finalized (for now) the football teams new schedule as well. The team will now open the season against Kellogg next Friday, Aug. 28, at PRLHS. Spartan football is slated to play seven games this season — four at home, three away — but George is still hoping to add one more.

The Priest River volleyball started practice last night and is set to start the season on Tuesday, Sep. 15, against Coeur d’Alene Charter.

Times have certainly changed, but the return of athletes in orange and black jerseys to the PRLHS field will make things feel normal again.

Cross country club

Head out to the PRLHS track on this coming Monday from 5-6 p.m. to learn about the new Priest River Cross Country Club. The club is open to kids 10 years old and up and was started by Sarah Gregory.

The event will feature Popsicles, running games and an opportunity to hear more about the club.