The street lights were still on at 6:00 a.m., when Wildcat football hopefuls arrived at the fieldhouse and practice
field on Monday morning to begin two-a-day workouts for the upcoming season.




"Early to bed.......Early to rise!"

County Athletes Begin Practice
Drills Monday Morning

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

You might have noticed less traffic on the streets of Sulphur Springs, late on Sunday night, and the streets of Como and Cumby were relatively "calm," as young athletes returned home early, with anticipation of early Monday morning practice drills for the upcoming football and volleyball seasons. Monday morning, bright and early, marked the beginning of daily work-outs and practice drills, with an "eye" for a successful season.

 


Wildcat football players listen to instructions, before engaging in morning drills.


A series of drills were run to prepare athletes in Sulphur Springs for the upcoming season.

 

 

Sulphur Springs Wildcat football players had the earliest deadline, as they reported at 6:00 a.m., and found a "break" in the temperatures that were some 10 degrees cooler than normal. "It's great weather to begin practice," exclaimed one of the hopefuls, as he began his morning drill.

Meanwhile, at Cumby, Coach Kent Hawthorne and his coaching staff assembled their football and girl's volleyball hopefuls outside the fieldhouse for a season "pep talk" and motivational speech, as well as a movie that was viewed by everyone. Then, it was on to the football field, where running drills and laps around the field was the order of the day. "It's great to get started and have all of the student athletes back with us this morning," expressed Hawthorne.

 


Athletic Director, Kent Hawthorne, and his staff of coaches addressed the Cumby Trojan athletes on
Monday morning, as they met at 7:30 a.m.


As the sun was rising, Cumby Trojan athletes listen to a morning orientation, as the new construction
of the Cumby Gym is seen in the background.


A short motivational film began the practice session at Cumby.


Female Trojan athletes were up early on Monday morning to attend their first practice session.



And, it was "laps" around the football field for both the Trojans and Lady Trojans.

 


Water and Sport's drink were the "essential elements" at all of the practices
throughout Hopkins County, as athletes began to prepare for the season.

 

Across the county, at Como-Pickton, Eagle football players and the Fighting Eagle Band were out early and on the field for practice. By 8:30, everyone was on the field and "suited-up"  and practicing morning drills. The football players were running drills and the band was marching around the field in perfect step!

 


Eagle Stadium, at CPISD was busy with activity, early Monday morning, as student athletes began
their first practice sessions.


Eagle Football Team members began their early morning drills in earnest.

 

A forward pass is completed to an Eagle receiver, and he executes the play, in early Monday morning
drills.

Morning and afternoon drills will continue all week, as everyone prepares for the new school year and the athletic events that will be unfolding, as the season unfolds.

 


And, the Fighting Eagle Marching Band, was completing marching drills  around the football
stadium, on Monday morning, in preparation for the upcoming season.

 

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