Pioneers work the night shift – Continuing heat puts teams under the lights
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Because of continuing high temperatures, school officials prohibited any athletic teams from practicing before 7 p.m., so the Pioneers were bused to Nunley Stadium, where they worked out under the lights.
While the high school squad was busy on the game field, the middle school Pioneers returned to action for the first time in nearly a week, going through drills in the outfield of Pioneer Park.
‘I’m glad to come out any time we get the chance,’ WCMS head coach Bill Harris said. ‘It’s been a week since we’ve practiced, and we’re way behind.’
Assistant coach Devin Rackley, who works with the WCMS defensive unit, offered some words of encouragement to his squad following Monday’s session, which ended around 9 p.m.
‘I’m really proud of the way practice went, as far as learning and making progress,’ he said in his remarks to the team. ‘If we can come out (Tuesday) with the same work ethic, I think we can get even more out of them.’
The middle school has one more week to prepare for its opening game, which is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 21, at home against Cascade.
Up the hill from Pioneer Park, the Nunley Stadium gridiron had a Friday night feel to it, with the varsity and freshman sharing the field for its first outdoor practice since last Tuesday.
Head coach Chris Madewell’s team was scheduled to travel to Moore County yesterday for its first preseason scrimmage of the year. Last week’s scheduled scrimmage with East Ridge was canceled due to the heat.
Madewell said the extended period away from the practice field was evident early in Monday’s session, but the Pioneers got back into their rhythm as practice continued.
‘We struggled a little bit at the beginning, conditioning wise,’ he remarked. ‘Having to be inside for five days probably had a lot to do with that. But after having to change our practice schedule for most of last week, we can’t afford to waste any time now. We’ve got to come out dedicated, and get back on track getting ready for our first game.’
The Pioneer freshmen begin their season Thursday, Aug. 23, at home against Coffee County, while the varsity season begins Aug. 24 at home against DeKalb.