Tuesday was the first day of August. That means it's only a month or so from the start of the 2017 high school football season.

Watch the video for a preview of two area teams doing battle in the ever-tough Section 3 Class A National Division: the Carthage Comets and the Watertown Cyclones.

Coach Kyle LaLonde's Cyclones put up a 2-6 overall mark, just 1-4 in their division, but managed to make the playoffs. They lost to East Syracuse-Minoa on the road 35-28.

Watertown has key weapons back at the skill positions -- including quarterback -- and that veteran presence has the coach feeling good heading into the season.

It was an up-and-down season for the Carthage Comets in 2016.

After opening the season 2-0, the Comets went .500 the rest of the way, posting a 5-4 overall record and 2-3 in the division.

The Comets made the playoffs again, but lost big to Whitesboro in the opening round 38-0.

Previews of area high school football teams continue this week as they prepare for the 2017 season.

Read more here:

HS Gridiron Preview: Cyclones & Comets - WWNY TV 7