The Boyd-Buchanan football team works early Monday under the direction of Coach Grant Reynolds, center.24 teams a day
What began as a challenge from a co-worker has become one of the most anticipated days of sports coverage for assistant sports editor Stephen Hargis every year.For the 13th consecutive year, on the first day that high school football teams in Tennessee are allowed to practice in full pads, he traveled to as many area schools as he could fit into a single day.While prep teams in Georgia must practice in shorts for two days before putting on full pads Wednesday, this year he was able to include two area teams from the Peach State as well.Beginning at Walker Valley and working his way back into Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia before crossing into the Central time zone to finish in Marion County, he made 24 stops in all, covering 368 miles.Optimism and the sound of pads crashing filled the day at each school. And with the season kicking off for most teams in just three weeks, there are very few days to make preparations for what could be a memorable season for several area teams that believe this fall can end with a state championship.
With the start of the high school football season just three weeks away, teams in Tennessee began practicing in pads Monday. Teams in Georgia must have two days of practice in shorts and helmets to acclimate to the heat before putting on full pads Wednesday.
All times Eastern.
7:17 a.m., Walker Valley — Glen Ryan’s first job as the Mustangs’ new head coach might be his toughest. Having been the team’s offensive coordinator the last two years, Ryan said this week’s practices will be designed to develop toughness.
“We’ve got to change the mentality and the bad habits they’ve had,” said Ryan, referring to the program’s 3-27 record the last three seasons. “We’re going to open their eyes with some pretty tough practices and see if we can teach them to overcome being tired and keep fighting through that. Some of the guys have hit a mental wall and dropped their heads when they got hit hard or had tough breaks in the past. We’ve got to overcome that way of thinking.”