By JASON GORDON
Coaches hollering offensive and defensive plays weren’t the only things that made it sound like football on Friday morning at Hays High School.
The unmistakable echo made by the popping of helmets and shoulder pads resonated through the Hays practice fields for the first time all summer as the Rebels started full-pad workouts.
“It doesn’t turn into a real practice until you put the pads on,” Hays center Boone Feldt said. “Putting a guy on the ground is what football is all about.”
Linebacker Michael Pieprzica said everyone has to step their game up when the football pads come out and the days of practicing in shorts, t-shirts and helmets are over.
“It felt pretty good out there flying around to the football,” Pieprzica said. “It’s what we’ve been waiting for all summer. Everybody got their fair share of big hits in.”
Hays slot receiver Taven Mayberry said it’s a lot easier to tell where you are as a team in full pads.
“We’ve been waiting a long time to see how well we’ve learned the new offense,” Mayberry said. “You can’t tell those things until you’re going full speed in pads. I think everyone looked great. We came out and practiced with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”
Head coach Blake Feldt agreed the Rebels looked sharp.
“I thought the intensity level was great,” Blake Feldt said. “Obviously we still have a long way to go to be the kind of football team we want to be later this fall, but it was a very good first day in pads.”
Now Hays’ attention will turn to its first scrimmage of the season when the Rebels host former district foe Del Valle on Saturday morning. The varsity scrimmage at Shelton Stadium is scheduled to begin shortly after 10 a.m.
“I’m definitely ready to see us scrimmage somebody,” Blake Feldt said. “It’s time to see how the kids play against someone else. Some kids do well in practice, but the first time they go against another opponent their eyes get a little bigger. It will be interesting to see how they respond.”
Hays slot receiver Michael Romero said he’s ready to scrimmage against someone other than his own teammates.
“It will be nice to go up against someone that doesn’t know the plays we’re running,” Romero said. “I think we’ll have a lot of success with our new offense. I expect us to be an offense that’s difficult to defend.”
