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Summer workouts for local high school football teams are commencing despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey on June 26 announced a plan to reopen schools in the fall.
During the press conference, officials announced that fall sports will be returning as well. Escambia County head football coach Scott Mason said as it stands now, everything is a go for football to return in the fall.
Mason said the Alabama High School Athletic Association gave the school a fall practice start date of July 27 because they didn’t go through spring training.
“We’re going to officially start that day,” Mason said. “Right now, we’re relegated to the weight room and conditioning. That’s all we can do.” Escambia Academy head football coach Hugh Fountain said the team’s summer workouts are going well.
“We’re meeting four days a week with the older boys,” Fountain said. “We’ve done it different this year.”
Fountain said the younger boys workout in the afternoons.
As far as starting practice, Fountain said he hasn’t heard any changes from the Alabama Independent School Association, but the plan is to start back either on July 31 or Aug. 1.
“We’re not planning on doing anything different unless there are OTAs,” he said.
Fountain said they key for each member of the team is to stay well.
Across the state boarder in Bratt, Fla., Northview head football coach Wes Summerford said the players are coming out of their shells, and are building team chemistry.
Summerford said workouts had to be put on hold this week, and a determination as to a start date will be announced soon.
In East Brewton, W.S. Neal head football coach Andro Williams said the summer is going well for the Eagles.
Williams said they’re allowing 12 kids at a time in the weigth room with each going to their designated spot. He said temperatures are taken every other day, and the locker room isn’t being used.
Williams said after a certain amount of time, the players switch from working inside to outside, adding that each player is outfitted with a gator, or face shield.
Williams said the Eagles are working out three days a week, and like ECHS, will start practice on July 27.
“The kids were excited about coming back,” Williams said. “I think it was because they were sitting at home for two-and-a-half months.”