Hays quarterback Caleb Kimbro hands the ball off to fullback Tony Garza as (left to right) receiver Michael Romero, tight end Billy Tabor and center Alex Rocco fire out to block during a drill on the morning of the first two-a-day practice session Monday.
By JASON GORDON
As the Hays High varsity football team stepped on the practice field Monday morning for its first official two-a-day session, team members were ready to put last year’s disappointing campaign far behind them.
The Rebels are trying to rid themselves of the memory of their first losing season since the mid-1980s, after going 4-7 in 2009.
“Oh man, last season was like a nightmare,” said Hays senior center and team captain Alex Rocco. “To be on the first losing Hays team in 25 years hit a lot of us hard. I think the team you see out here today wants to work hard to get back to the winning culture of Rebel football we’re all used to.”
Fellow captain, senior tight end Billy Tabor, agreed he expects a rejuvenated Rebel team on display this fall.
“We made a commitment to each other in the offseason that we’re in this together,” Tabor said. “No matter if you’re a sophomore, a junior or a senior, we’re all committed to the same goal. We expect to win.”
Hays junior receiver Michael Romero said Hays players are already thinking about what challenges lie ahead this season.
“We know our district will be tougher than it was the last two years,” Romero said. “We have two state ranked teams, Smithson Valley and Alamo Heights, and we know Canyon and Clemens should be tough as well. There won’t be any easy games, but that’s why from day one we have the mindset that we need to work very hard to get back on top.”
Hays sophomore quarterback Caleb Kimbro said it was definitely exciting to walk onto the field for the summer’s first practice.
“This is what we’ve all been waiting for,” Kimbro said. “You get an emotional high on the first day of two-a-days after preparing for so long for this moment.”
Longtime Hays head coach Bob Shelton was pleased with what he saw out of his team on the first day.
“It’s always a good feeling to get back out there,” Shelton said. “Everyone always looks forward to it. It’s hard to tell a lot when we’re only out here in shorts and helmets, but it looks like everyone came back in shape and ready to go, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Hays will continue to practice in shorts and helmets until strapping on full pads for the first time on Friday.
“It’s always a different story when we have full pads on,” Rocco said. “Then you can actually get away with hitting someone.”
Hays has its first scrimmage of the season on Aug. 14, at Del Valle, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Rebels will host Temple for their final scrimmage of the preseason at Shelton Stadium on Aug. 21, beginning at 9 a.m.
Hays opens the regular season on Aug. 27 against Akins at Burger Stadium, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Rebs start District 27-4A action Sept. 24, when they will be considered the home team at Shelton Stadium against Hays CISD rival Lehman.
