VINCENT - Afternoon delight took on a football meaning when the Warren Warriors held their second official preseason two-a-day practice at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
4 p.m.?
Yep, same as on Monday, the first day.
Article Photos
RON JOHNSTON The Marietta Times
Warren linemen go through a drill at the high school practice field in Vincent early Tuesday evening.
"We have a couple of lay coaches who work during the day, and we try to accomodate them," said third-year Warren head football coach Andy Schob. "Plus, we play our games in the evening, so we try to get the kids used to it."
Well, at least it was a little cooler by the end of the second session at 8:30 p.m.
Sure, it was a tad warm out there on the practice gridiron, but....
"The heat is always a concern," Schob said. "But we have a trainer who checks the index, and if we have to, we'll adjust and go inside to practice.
"The temperature's been good. There's been enough wind. We talk to the kids about hydrating and getting plenty of liquids."
Don't think for a minute that these 62 Warriors, attired in blue shorts, blue T-shirts and helmets, weren't prepared for the heat. And, when they wanted and needed a drink, they got it. No questions asked.
Also available were fruit, light snacks, and drinks after the first session, thanks to the Warren football moms.
Thing is, for the really, really serious Warrior football players, after a summer of lifting weights, running, going to camps, and competing in seven-on-seven scrimmages, Monday's practice session was a piece of cake. These guys were already in great shape - and rearing to go.
"My impressions are that we're a lot closer than we have been in year's past," said Warren quarterback Dylan Leffingwell. "The chemistry is really nice."
Schob agreed and added, "The kids are working extremely hard. They're very coachable and our leadership has been excellent."
Yes, royal blue and white football is finally here, and let's have fun. Better yet, let's hit somebody.
Actually, Warren can't do that just yet, hit somebody, until its third annual "Midnight Practice" on Friday from 11:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Then the Warriors will be among the first prep schools in the Buckeye State to begin contact practices - at midnight.
Warren will be in a two-a-day practice mode on and off for awhile - at least until it travels to Point Pleasant for a scrimmage at 10 a.m., Aug. 11. The Warriors' second exhibition game will also be on the road, at Herbert Hoover (W.Va.) in a three-way battle with Logan (W.Va.) included, at 4:30 p.m., Aug. 17.
Then, sound the trumpets in Vincent, Warren will be playing both its season and home opener against the visiting Philo Electrics at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 24.
Before that, though, it's practice, practice, practice in rain or shine. The time of day, the weather doesn't matter, but football now does. Got to get it right and get ready for the Electrics.
"We're doing a little bit of different things," Schob said, "but a lot of the same things, too."
