High school football practice gets underway

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – At Medina’s first practice today at Vets Park quarterback Hadrian Batista works on a pass play while Christian Moss goes through an agility drill.

Autumn like temperatures greeted the start of preseason practice for area high school football teams today.

After having just two weeks of practice before the first game the past two years teams this season are returning to the traditional schedule of three weeks of preseason practice. The schedule will have two weeks of practice followed by a scrimmage on Saturday August 31. Then another week of practice before the season opening games on Friday September 6.

“It’s definitely a plus,” said Albion Head Coach David Skrip of the return to three weeks of preseason practice. “We were really rushing to get things in with just the two weeks of practice” he added noting that under that schedule the first time a team went against another team was the first game. “This way it gives us more time to get the kids in football shape, to get game ready and to have a scrimmage before the first game,” he said. “It’s really better and safer for the kids.”

Albion will open the season at Olean, Medina will face Roy-Hart/Barker at Barker and Holley will visit Red Jacket on September 6.

Preseason practice for the other fall sports teams including boys and girls soccer, field hockey, volleyball, golf and boys and girls cross-country will begin next Monday.

At Holley, Hawk lineman work on a drill.

At Albion the Purple Eagles get in some sprints.