Pardon me if I sound a little giddy about the week of Oct. 1. I can’t contain my enthusiasm, because as far as field hockey goes, it doesn’t get any better than this. This is a week for the players, coaches, fans and scary-looking field hockey beat writers to enjoy. My colleagues think I’m crazy because I’ve been talking about this week for quite some time.

All I can say is, Lakeland, Putnam Valley and Rye face a grueling week. And these teams will all play each other during the week.

Where do I start? Let’s begin with Monday.

On Monday, Putnam Valley travels to Briarcliff. This is the first meeting of the teams since Putnam Valley eliminated Briarcliff in last year’s sectionals. Regarding the Clarkstown School District, Clarkstown North will travel to Clarkstown South. The great aspect of this rivalry is that South coach Jordan Turner teaches at North.

Tuesday: If your daughter’s team does not have a game, may I suggest traveling to Putnam Valley as the Tigers host defending Class A state champion Lakeland at 4:30 p.m. Both teams are undefeated and feature some of Section 1’s finest individual players. Lakeland boasts Cassie O’Mara, Chelsea Robinson, Caitlin Collins and Tara McGovern, while Putnam Valley answers with Brittany Kinsley, Ashley Morgan, Erica Fisher and Katie Mazin.

Wednesday: The Rockland County teams take center stage with new power North Rockland heading to Clarkstown North and Clarkstown South going to Suffern for a 5 p.m. game at Suffern Middle School.

Thursday: Once again, and I don’t mean to repeat myself, but should you have an off day, make the trip to Putnam Valley. This time, Putnam Valley will match up with Rye at 4:30 p.m. This is the first meeting between the teams since Rye beat Putnam Valley is last year’s Section 1 Class B title game. The teams have played in the Class B final every year since 2003 with Rye winning three times. Keep an eye on Rye’s super sophomore tandem of Olivia Nabhan and Torie Stearns, as well as senior Alyssa Coughlin, who leads Rye in scoring.

Friday: If facing Putnam Valley was not tough enough, Rye will turn around and host coach Barb Deppe and John Jay-East Fishkill at 7:30 p.m. Jay is annually Dutchess County’s finest team and has won two state titles since 1998 under Deppe. Rye will keep an eye on Jay’s big scorer, Anna Ausanio.

Saturday: How did Rye coach Kevin Kelly survive the first day of practice? After his girls saw they had Putnam Valley and John Jay-East Fishkill on consecutive days, then they saw were playing at Lakeland (7:15 p.m.) to make three straight high-caliber games. Kelly is lucky his girls didn’t tie him to the back of the net, without the goalie equipment, and take shots at him. Yes, you are reading this correctly. Rye will play at Lakeland in a Saturday night game. I think this could very well be a standing-room crowd. Since 2000, Rye has won three state titles and Lakeland two. However, Rye has never beaten Lakeland.

If you’re looking for predictions, forget it. I will leave that up to the blog readers. Check in each day for I will have a writeup on each game.

Man, I can’t wait for the week to begin!