Stephen Hargis and son tour 20-plus area teams on first day of high school football practice

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 7/25/16. Head coach Mark Mariakis works with his team at Chattanooga Christian School during the first day of practice in pads on Monday, July 25, 2016.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 7/25/16. Head coach Mark Mariakis works with his team at Chattanooga Christian School during the first day of practice in pads on Monday, July 25, 2016.

It's one of the longest work days of the year for me - touring 20-plus area football teams on the first day they're allowed to practice in full pads. But when my son decided to ride along, the chance to spend some quality time talking about football, girls and his plans for after his final year of college made it one of my favorites as well.

All times Eastern.

7:15 a.m., South Pittsburg

The Pirates welcome back 10 defensive and nine offensive starters from last year's state-quarterfinal team, but they've also added a few transfers who are expected to bring immediate help. That list includes brothers Corbin and Kellye Cawood, who played at Cleveland last year, plus Franklin Russell, a junior who started on the offensive line at North Jackson last season. Corbin Cawood, a senior, will play on both sides of the line, while his brother, a sophomore, will likely start in the offensive and defensive backfields.

7:28, Marion County

It appears to be a seamless transition for Joey Mathis, who takes over after helping the Warriors reach the Class 2A state championship game each of the past two years as offensive coordinator.

"All I've really done is move about six feet over from one desk to another, but otherwise everything will stay the same as far as our system and our expectations," Mathis says.

Hunter Zeman takes over at quarterback for Logan Walters, who earned all-state recognition last year. Linebacker Alex Kirkendoll (6-foot-2, 220), who already has offers from Illinois State, Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay and is being heavily recruited by Middle Tennessee State, will lead the defense on a team that expects to compete again for a state title.

8:06, Chattanooga Christian

New Chargers coach Mark Mariakis chuckles when asked how different things are for this year's team.

"We had what was probably the most physical practice in the history of this program last week, and that was before we even put on full pads," Mariakis says. "We wanted to get them ready for what we're going to expect as a program from here on. If we're going to take that next step, we have to be a lot more physical."

CCS had a program-best eight wins last year with Mariakis as defensive coordinator, and now that he's the head coach he's also changed the offense from the pass-happy spread to the grind-it-out wing-T. The program also recently bought 100 guardian caps, the protective covering that overlaps helmets and is designed to reduce the risk of concussions.

8:49, Soddy-Daisy

Trojans players have been on the field for nearly an hour and are making the long walk off the field to find shade against a utility building for a quick water break. Quarterback Justin Cooke, who threw for more than 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2015, is back, as is his top target Ty Boeck, who also is the most experienced linebacker returning. Boeck was on the field for 98 percent of the team's snaps last season.

"We'll probably have to limit how much defense Ty plays because he's so important to us on offense," says Trojans coach Justin Barnes, who also notes that the team picked up an athletic transfer from Colorado, Colton Smith, who likely will earn a start at the cornerback spot opposite returner Brandon Davis.

9:20, Red Bank

There was a staff shake-up for the Lions, with Drew Akins moving over from Ooltewah to take the offensive coordinator's job and Charles Weems, who had been at Hixson, taking over the defense.

Most players jog to the spot where their position groups are about to begin working, but a few stragglers are met with a warning from Akins: "If you walk, you're going to run a lap! Pick it up!"

"The key for us is how much our offensive line has matured," says head coach Chad Grabowski. "We have everyone back that started for us up front, but they have to be more consistent for us to get where we want to be."

9:38, Baylor

The morning session will focus on defensive work, and the Red Raiders will return to the field in the evening to focus on offense.

Although there is plenty of returning talent, including three offensive linemen who weigh more than 300 pounds, coach Phil Massey can't help but bemoan one player who isn't back.

"We're hoping to find another Ryan Parker," Massey says, referring to the former two-time all-state linebacker who was named the state's Mr. Football in Division II last year. "You only get one of those type guys ever so often."

Two newcomers who likely will make early impacts are junior quarterback Trusten McArtor (6-2, 190), a transfer from Austin, Texas, and receiver Emanual Williams (6-1, 185) from Tullahoma.

"Trusten is still learning the offense, but he's pretty athletic," Massey says. "Emanual could help us at receiver and safety. He can play."

Incidentally, this is the point we would have visited Signal Mountain, but second-year coach Ty Wise had informed me that the Eagles have the day off and will resume practice Tuesday.

10:04, East Ridge

The humidity is becoming noticeable as the Pioneers begin the last hour of a three-hour practice. Tim James, who returns for a second stint as head coach at his alma mater, must find replacements for seven starters from last year's defense.

He also must make plans to begin the season without star running back Traneil Moore. Last year's 3A Mr. Football Back of the Year, who led the team to a program-best 12 wins, is practicing but not at 100 percent as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered in the spring.

"That's the million-dollar question around here: When will he be ready?" James says. "I don't think he'll miss too much time."

Meanwhile in his absence, the Pioneers will rely on Lorenzo Stewart, who ran for more than 800 yards as Moore's backup last year.

10:26, Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish began the day at 3 a.m. with what was described as "Fant drills" - a very physical introduction to the first day in pads designed by head coach Charles Fant.

After a nap and breakfast, the team, which has reached the 3A state semifinals each of the past two seasons, is back out but not on the field. Instead, defensive coordinator Chandler Tygard has his unit going over their assignments in the parking lot. Tygard is asking each defender what his assignment is, based on the opponent's offensive formation. It takes more than a few sleepy-eyed players several seconds to answer their coach's question, and I'd be willing to bet none of the Irish players will have trouble getting to sleep quickly during their next break.

10:39, McCallie

The team is broken up into position groups, with offensive players at one end of Spears Stadium and defensive players at the other. As head coach Ralph Potter quietly observes the quarterbacks and receivers, new defensive coordinator Ricky Ross is anything but quiet. The former Marion County head coach is animated and going over each step of how he wants the secondary to play.

"The practices this time of year are a lot different than when I first started, and really even just in the past few years," Potter says. "We used to jump right into working with other teams and scrimmaging, but the new practice rules limit us more, so now it's a lot more instructional. I miss the competition we had."

Robert Riddle (6-3, 190) is now the clear starter at quarterback and is dropping pinpoint passes to receivers in the back of the end zone on fade routes. The recruiting interest is beginning to pick up steam for Riddle, along with Giovanni Hightower (6-6, 255) and Shawn McColley (6-0, 200).

11:16, East Hamilton

The Hurricanes must replace all 11 starters from a defense that helped them reach the state quarterfinals last year. The offensive experience is a different story as four starters return to the line and Nic Woods enters his third year as the starting quarterback.

"We're going to kick up the intensity quite a bit this week to find out who really wants to get after it for us," Hurricanes coach Ted Gatewood says. "We'll find guys we know want to be out there and play with a lot of effort."

12:03 p.m., Central

For a program set to introduce its fifth head coach in six years, and one that's coming off an 0-10 season, there's definitely a different attitude among Purple Pounders players. After a morning workout, the team begins to file back into a renovated locker room to find a quiet spot for some rest before returning to the field. That includes defensive back D.J. Baxter, who has offers from Army, Navy and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and offensive lineman McClendon Curtis (6-7, 295), who is being heavily recruited by several schools despite not playing since his sophomore year.

First-year head coach Cortney Braswell has had to order additional helmets because of the number of players excited by the enthusiasm he has brought.

"It's been a complete culture shock, but they really like the fact that we're demanding more from them," says Braswell, a former all-state player at Baylor. "Our staff doesn't tolerate excuses. I want to find guys who will find a way to get things done. Losers make excuses; winners win. That's the bottom line."

12:54, Hixson

The fieldhouse is empty, but Wildcats coach Dan Duff is in his office working on the afternoon practice plan. Hixson has eight starters back on offense and will be looking for ways to turn things around after losing five games by 10 points or less.

"Last year was one of those times when it seemed liked we just found ways to lose games," Duff says. "We have enough experience back now that I'm hoping those guys will find ways to close out games late now. That part of it is all mental."

3:33, Howard

At the conclusion of a lifting session, new coach John Starr has decided to keep players inside to avoid the afternoon heat. The Hustlin' Tigers, who are making the transition to a more physical brand of offense with the wing-T, will have a walk-through practice in the gym as Starr continues to install his offense.

"The kids are starting to understand it more," he says, "and the thing I've been most impressed with is their work ethic. These kids want to be good."

4:01, Lookout Valley

The decision to co-op with Richard Hardy has paid off with the addition of nine players who will help with depth in a program that traditionally struggles with numbers.

"They've given us an energy and really help us just by allowing us to scrimmage against each other every day," Yellow Jackets coach Tony Webb says. "We're not quite ready to put them out there against tougher competition, but those kids are going to help us get better."

4:46, Tyner

Veteran Rams coach Wayne Turner is helping a young player strap up his shoulder pads as the team begins making its way out to the practice field. Tyner returns most of the skill-position players from last year's state-quarterfinal team but has a relatively new group of linemen.

"We've found six good ones so far, but four of those will have to go both ways," says Turner, who then grins and adds, "But we've got some guys with good motors. They're aggressive and we'll hit you."

5:16, Brainerd

The coaching staff is in a closed-door meeting to make the plan for their afternoon practice. The Panthers have just three starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that lost three games by a combined 12 points.

5:29, Boyd-Buchanan

The new artificial turf has been installed and workers are adding the numbers and field markings. Carter Cardwell, who's taking over the program, is busy handing out game uniforms to players for a team picture.

Although there's a quarterback competition between Kohl Henke and Ross Wortman, regardless of who takes snaps the other is athletic enough to be on the field at receiver. Henke also led the area last year with eight interceptions.

6:05, Grace Academy

The Golden Eagles have wrapped up the special-teams portion of the practice, and now quarterbacks and running backs are working on the timing of handoffs on speed sweeps while receivers are running routes.

As with so many small schools, the biggest concern here is lack of depth. But there is playoff experience from last season to build on.

6:27, Silverdale Baptist

With 12 seniors who all will get plenty of action, the Seahawks carry themselves like a veteran team as they take the field for the start of a two-plus-hour practice.

"We have some guys who look like Tarzan, and hopefully they won't play like Jane," Seahawks coach Al Rogers says. "What I like about this group is these kids see their mom and dad work their butts off to be able to send them to a Christian private school and they follow that work ethic and work hard on the field."

6:48, Ooltewah

The team is split into offensive groups at one end of the field and defenders on the other. Head coach Mac Bryan is aggravated when one of his quarterbacks misreads a play he signaled in.

Meanwhile at the other end, defensive coordinator Doug Greene is working to find replacements for the nine starters lost off last year's unit that held 10 of 13 opponents to two touchdowns or less.

7:24, Cleveland

Several members of the Blue Raiders' sprint relay teams will also man football skill positions, and it's quickly obvious that this team is built around speed.

Receiver Skyler Davis (6-3, 185), who had more than 800 receiving yards last year, will be counted on heavily to be even more of a playmaker this season.

7:41, Bradley Central

Rap music is blaring over the speakers as the Bears put the finishing touches on a two-hour workout.

Quarterback Cole Copeland, a Mr. Football finalist who threw for more than 2,500 yards last season, already has a half dozen offers from college programs, including UTC, Mercer and Tennessee Tech. If his talent alone didn't make him stand out, the red "no contact" jersey would certainly explain just how important Copeland is to this team's goals.

"Our defensive guys better not get close to him," Bears coach Damon Floyd jokes.

Floyd concludes the practice with words of advice for every player: "At some point this season, every one of you will have an opportunity to contribute. It may only be a couple of plays or it may be a lot of plays every game. But not matter what, stay in practice and the game mentally and be ready when your time comes."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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