Ah, September. Summer's heat gradually fades, cool autumn breezes begin to blow, landscapes display a riot of color as leaves change, kids head back to school and, last but far from least, football season kicks off!

I can hardly wait to watch the teams take the field with fresh new uniforms and unblemished footballs ready for action. Now, I enjoy a good defensive battle as well as the next gridiron aficionado, but the true heart of the game is moving that pigskin up and down the yard lines. Admit it. You love watching the quarterback drift back, looking to air out the big one, throw that bomb, nail that home run throw, pull off a miraculous Hail Mary. Downfield a receiver, who was barely off the line of scrimmage when the ball was tossed, with incredible timing born of natural talent and endless practice reaches a flawless rendezvous with the arriving orb and, without breaking stride, sails on to touchdown glory. Maybe the quarterback will sucker the defense with a head or pump fake, then slip the ball into the capable hands of a fleet-footed running back who will launch into a series of twists and turns as holes materialize in the defensive line, ultimately breaking into the secondary for a blazing footrace to the goal line. Or perhaps a hulking fullback will blast his way over, under or around any defender who ventures between him and the end zone.

Offense, that's the ticket!