Members of the Hays High varsity football team sprint toward the goal line during an end-of-practice running drill. The Rebels will be running new head coach Blake Feldt’s fast-paced spread offense and attacking defense this fall. Hays will take on former district foe Del Valle in its first scrimmage at Shelton Stadium August 13 and will open the regular season August 26 against Akins at Shelton Stadium. (Photo by Jason Gordon)
by JASON GORDON
New Hays High head football coach Blake Feldt left little doubt about what he expects from his players after the first two-a-day practice on Monday.
The Rebels were running and gunning from the start.
“We don’t use two-a-days to get into shape,” Feldt said. “We use two-a-days to get ready to win football games. All our practices are up-tempo because that’s the style of football we’re going to play.”
Hays High junior quarterback Caleb Kimbro was pleased with what he saw out of his teammates on the first day.
“We have to get used to this pace because that’s how we’re going to be playing Friday nights,” Kimbro said. “I think everyone worked hard in the summer to get ready for this day.”
Feldt said he could tell his players didn’t spend their summer slacking.
“I can’t tell you just how proud I am of the hard work the kids put in over the summer,” Feldt said. “They were committed to staying in shape and it showed today. I’m also very pleased at how much they retained from the spring. I don’t think our first day could have gone any better.”
Receiver Mason Cervenka agreed team speed and quickness will be the key as the team adjusts to Feldt’s spread offense and attacking defense.
“We know we have to practice faster all the time,” Cervenka said. “This kind of tempo will get us ready for the speed that’s expected of us during games.”
Hays will practice in helmets, t-shirts and shorts through Thursday, before putting on full pads Friday.
Linebacker Michael Pieprzica said that’s a day most players look forward to.
“Friday’s a day everyone’s been looking forward to since we hung up the pads last year,” Pieprzica said. “You really get to let loose in full pads. There’s no feeling like hitting someone and knocking the air out of them.”
Hays High senior center Boone Feldt, who was a member of his father’s 2009 Class 2A Division I state title winner at Pilot Point, said he’s been impressed with his Rebel teammates.
“Ninety-five percent of the team worked out together all summer,” Boone Feldt said. “We ran together, we lifted together. We worked harder than any other team I’ve been a part of and that will definitely help us during two-a-days and this fall.”
Hays Highs’ first scrimmage will take place at Shelton Stadium against Del Valle on August 13. The Rebels open the regular season at Shelton Stadium against Akins August 26.
