Ready or not, 2014 is coming.

In terms of the Butler County sports scene, here are a few things I would love to see it bring.

More of the school’s prime athletes joining the football team — Maybe the next coaching hire will get that done.

But in all honesty, it shouldn’t take a coach for that to happen.

In all of high school athletics, football is the prime time game. It’s Friday nights in the fall, it’s homecoming, it’s played in front of more people than any other sport.

Great athletes should welcome the opportunity to get on a stage like that and perform.

Just sayin’.

An all-county boys and girls tournament to tip off the 2014-15 season — Yes, I’ve lobbied for this before and I’m doing it again.

Basketball is the sport where school size doesn’t matter.

Any team can be competitive against anybody, especially at the start of the season when coaches are still trying to identify roles.

Butler, Seneca Valley, Knoch, Mars, Freeport, Slippery Rock, Karns City and Moniteau, boys and girls, play in a three-day tournament, with each team playjng three games in three days. Sure, time and logistics would have to be worked out, but the crowds would be huge and the atmosphere of a county championship game would be fantastic.

It’s worth looking at.

Butler BlueSox reach the Prospect League playoffs — They came so close last season.

It’d be interesting to see what type of attendance a consistent winning team down at ... gotta get used to it ... Kelly Automotive Park ... can attract.

The BlueSox have a loyal fan base now despite having never made the playoffs.

Karns City, Moniteau girls basketball teams playing for the District 9 title — This one is certainly possible.

The Gremlins and Warriors have solid, versatile, talented and experienced lineups on the court this season.

Meeting each other for the district title at Clarion University would create an electric atmosphere.

Butler boys bowling team winning the state championship — Why not? The Golden Tornado girls did it last year and this boys team is deep in talent.

You have to hit your stride at the right time to win a state crown in any sport. Butler’s boys advanced far into postseason last year and they are primed to make a run.

A repeat performance for the Slippery Rock University football team — The Rock waited 14 years between NCAA Division II playoff appearances.

Getting there in back-to-back years would be quite appropriate in 2014, as the university is celebrating its 150th year.

Another great season would also spark even more interest — not that it’s needed — in SRU’s game at the University of Michigan’s Big House next fall.

Whether all or none of these things happen doesn’t matter.

The turn of a new year signifies one thing.

Dare to dream.