HS football practice opens in WV
- By GRANT TRAYLOR
- Larry Butcher/for the Herald-Dispatch
- Larry Butcher/for the Herald-Dispatch
Larry Butcher/for the Herald-Dispatch Huntington's offensive line fires off the ball during their practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 at Huntington High School.
- Larry Butcher/for the Herald-Dispatch
Larry Butcher/for the Herald-Dispatch Huntington's offense runs through plays during their practice on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 at Huntington High School.
HUNTINGTON - Huntington High didn't want to wait even a single minute Monday to get its football season started.
Down the road in Ona, Cabell Midland High School also got things going with an early-morning practice.
Both Huntington High coach Billy Seals and Cabell Midland coach Luke Salmons couldn't wait to get back on the field to see the gains of their teams in the offseason.
"I think everybody is excited to get out," Seals said. "It's always fun to see them for that Monday morning practice and then see them on Wednesday morning. The enthusiasm is a bit more limited once you get to Wednesday."
Nothing could top the enthusiasm of that first day for the Highlanders, who jumped on the field at 12:01 a.m. with plenty of vigor, which was two-fold.
In addition to the excitement of the season opening they got to witness Huntington High senior Billy Ross, the state's top-ranked offensive line prospect, commit to North Carolina in a quick, but emotional ceremony.
After the ceremony and plenty of pictures, the Highlanders took the field with a bounce.
"The kids came out here and executed tonight," Seals said. "They were crisp with everything. We have a lot to learn, but I'm pretty excited and pretty happy with our effort in the first night."
Seals and Salmons both said the utilization of the three-week coaching period in June was important and retention was evident as preseason camp got underway with Monday's practices.
"Where we can do the three-week period, it's not that much different," Salmons said. "We've actually changed things up to where we are going for one two-hour practice on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but we lift weights in the afternoons. We've done a lot in June, so getting back into it and really slowing it down and teaching more helps. They know what to do now. It's just a matter of making sure you get the details."
Salmons said offseason conditioning and weight training was been beneficial in recent years and he expects no different as the Knights continue into camp and put on pads in the coming days.
"We know they've put in the work," Salmons said. "They've been here through the winter and through the summer. Now, it's seeing that extension. They've all talked about it and worked hard. Now, it's time. It's all part of the process. Every day, that process gets better."
West Virginia recently accepted a state-wide policy that allows for the three-week period previously scheduled in June to be a flex period, meaning county board offices can make the call on when the three-week period happens during the summer.
Seals said he would like to see the three-week period moved to after the Fourth of July holiday so teams could essentially keep building and then roll into the season.
"For us, we can use those three weeks to build into August and continue progress in our schemes and installation," Seals said. "It makes more sense and it gives coaches and players a little more vacation. When we have the three weeks in June, we're out that whole month with them and then lifting the entire month of July.
"If they flexed it to three weeks in July, it would open the month of June up to time off for players and coaches, which would give everyone a little more time to recoup from the school year."
Spring Valley also opened its practice schedule Monday, but waited for an afternoon practice at 4 p.m. to get rolling.
The regular season in West Virginia opens on Aug. 26.
