The first day of football practice usually means sweltering heat with temperatures in the 90s.
But Monday morning, Columbus East and Columbus North players got a break from the heat and humidity that often prevails in late July and early August. Temperatures remained in the low 70s for their first day of practice.
“I thought it went great,” East senior linebacker Nash Murphy said. “It’s great weather out here, nice and cool. It helps us go harder in practice.”
The Olympians practiced from 9 to 11 a.m., then had meetings in the school. The Bull Dogs had classroom and weightroom sessions before practicing from 10 a.m. to noon.
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At North, it started raining just as they were walking off the field.
“This weather is beautiful,” North senior quarterback Trenton Kelley said. “The rain held out for us, and the temperature is very cool. Not a lot of cramping.”
Both teams are breaking in new turf on their fields. North’s was in place for three summer scrimmages, while East’s installment was just completed last week.
While both the Olympians and Bull Dogs traditionally have done conditioning work at the end of practice, both did it at the beginning of their practices on Monday. The Olympians also finished with conditioning.
“The team worked hard for sure,” East senior defensive back Jonah Wichman said. “We had a break last week, so it was nice to get back. We have to just show the young guys how we do things here. We have to hold the whole team accountable, and if you mess up, you have to hold yourself accountable.”
Teams had to go without pads on Monday, but could wear helmets. They can go with pro pads (helmets and shoulder pads) today and Wednesday and full pads beginning Thursday.
“We had a full 10 weeks of workouts in the summer, and I think we really applied all of the knowledge and stuff we learned then today,” North senior lineman Noah Algee said. “I think the intensity was up because we’re all wanting to get in pads on Thursday and Friday, so I think we’re trying to bring that energy now so we can go into Thursday and Friday with it.”
In addition to conditioning, East worked on fundamentals in position groups and reviewed special teams work that it put in this summer. The Olympians will start doing more team stuff today.
Bob Gaddis, who led East to its second state title in five years last fall, is entering his 40th year as a head coach, including his 18th season with the Olympians.
“It’s always kind of a shock to get back to the real thing, but I thought the kids reacted pretty well,” Gaddis said. “We got a break on the weather. It’s always great to get back at it for real because the intensity picks up a little bit.”
Besides conditioning, the Bull Dogs also did some 11-on-11 work and a little bit of special teams reps.
North is coming off back-to-back 9-2 seasons. Tim Bless is entering his 21st year as a head coach and his 19th with the Bull Dogs.
“It’s always an exciting day, and that’s an important part of the process — we want it to be an exciting day,” Bless said. “Anymore, you work football all summer long, so you have to be really careful about burning kids and coaches out. We want them to start with some enthusiasm and some excitement.”
Kelley feels that was accomplished.
“There was a lot of competition today, and a lot of people were excited to get going,” Kelley said. “I thought it went pretty well. I think we’re all ready to go.”
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Key dates in high school football:
Monday: Teams were able to hold first practice
Aug. 10: Controlled scrimmages (Martinsville at Columbus East; Greenwood at Columbus North)
Aug. 17: First games (Whiteland at East; Franklin at North)
Oct 19: Class 5A Sectional begins
Oct. 26: Class 6A Sectional begins
Nov. 2: Sectional championships
Nov. 9: Regional
Nov. 16: Semistate
Nov. 23-24: State finals
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