The countdown to high school football season is almost over and the Times-Journal is hard at work on its 2016 Gridiron magazine, the newspaper’s annual high school football preview publication.

Like in previous years, the newspaper will be holding a Facebook vote to determine which athletes should be on the cover of this year’s Gridiron. A cheerleader and football player from each of the seven local high schools is represented.

Each player and cheerleader was paired with a player or cheerleader from another school, so that two schools will once again be represented on the cover.

“This contest gives the community a chance to have its voice be heard,” said Times-Journal sports editor Daniel Evans. “In past years, we’ve had thousands of votes cast, which shows how passionate each school’s alumni, students and fans are. It’ll take a lot of votes to win this thing.”

Last year, Selma football player Aderick Moore and Keith cheerleader Euneka Tower received 2,052 votes to win the contest. There were over 7,942 votes cast in last year’s contest.

Here are the pairings for this year’s contest — Selma football player Devaughan Blackmon and Ellwood cheerleader Gabby Crum; Dallas County football player Paul Daniels and Meadowview cheerleader Hannah Phillips; Southside football player DeQuan Johnson and Morgan cheerleader Anna Catherine King; Keith football player Domonique Jones and Dallas County cheerleader Nia Brooks; Ellwood football player Larry McGarry and Southside cheerleader Amari Drane; Morgan football player John Tyler Fisher and Selma cheerleader Aireal Brown; and Meadowview Christian football player Mason Kendrick and Keith cheerleader A’janae Moseley.

At 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, the Times-Journal will post a photo gallery featuring all seven cover options on its Facebook page. The vote will end Friday, Aug. 5 at 5 p.m.

The cover option with the most votes when voting ends will be on the cover of the Gridiron magazine, which will be released in late August.

To vote, simply “like” the cover choice you want to vote for. Any “likes” on the overall photo gallery will not count as votes. Comments will also not count as votes. Feel free to share the gallery or tag friends on the gallery or individual photos.

For more information about the contest, call 410-1736.