If you noticed that the high school football schedule is a little light this week, blame Zero Week.

More and more coaches are opting to begin their seasons in Zero Week – the UIL designation for the week on the official schedule before Week 1. Teams that opt to wait until Week 1 to start play have the option of scheduling a second scrimmage.

However, more teams are choosing to get a jump on the season, which usually results in a bye week before the start of district play.

"I remember not playing Zero Week, but we'd go into Week 1, and we're playing a team that's already played a game," said South Garland coach Mickey Moss, whose team has the week off. "It's kind of keeping up with the Joneses. I don't want to play a team that's already got a game under their belt."

Moss said he also likes the bye week because it gives a team a chance to rest before district play. The downside to starting early, Moss said, is that some areas of preparation, especially special teams and preventing turnovers, could get rushed.

Arlington Bowie coach Kenny Perry, whose team plays Skyline tonight, doesn't like the bye week created by Zero Week games.

"I don't like going through that lull, I like staying in a routine," Perry said. "I've done it both ways. I just like playing and staying in a consistent routine with the kids."