The sun has reappeared after several cooler, rainy days and thefootball players are feeling the consequences. Temperatures havereturned to the mid 90s, causing the heat index to climb higher onmuddy practice fields which radiate heat. Players and coacheslabored through the second week of preseason practice, leading upthe Aug. 31 season openers.

Coaches said they are aware of the importance of having plentyof water available at practice. Dehydration and heat stroke can beserious.

Lawrence County: “Water, water, water,” said Coach TrentHammond. “We tell our players to drink it, suck it, consume lots ofit.”

Hammond said he had a water tree, water jugs andmanagers with water tanks available for thirsty players duringpractice. “We preach and preach to our players about drinking lotsof water before and after practice.

“Instead, some of them go to the quick-stop and buy alarge container of cola instead. That doesn’t help abit.”

Heat cramps have become a problem for some players.Sophomore tight end Ivan Hilliard (6-3, 240) had to be taken to thehospital after cramping up in practice. Hillaird was givenintravenous fluids to help overcome dehydration.

The Cougars posed for Picture Day Saturday morning at 9.They play their first game Aug. 31, at Collins.

Brookhaven Academy: The first team offense ran 15 playsand the second team offense ran a similar number Friday during acontrolled scrimmage.

“We have some skill people who we feel pretty good about,” saidBA head coach Ray Ishee. “They can run. Most of our offensive frontis unproven.

“We need to play somebody besides ourselves.”

The Cougars participate in the Parklane Jamboree Friday night atMcComb. Parklane and Amite School Center also are entered.

Enterprise: The Yellow Jackets posed for Picture DayThursday afternoon. It was a long, hot week of practice, accordingto head coach Ricky Deere.

“The heat got to us a couple of days,” said Deere. “It’sbeen hot.

“We have 42 players out and things have gone prettywell.”

The Yellow Jackets debut Aug. 31, atMcLaurin.

Franklin County: The Bulldogs posed for Picture DayFriday afternoon and then scrimmaged for 45 points. Thunder andlightning shortened the workout.

“Our kids have come a long way,” said Franklin Countyhead coach Michael Goff. “We are learning offense and defense. Wehad a good week of practice.”

Goff is in his 30th year at Franklin County, the 24th ashead coach.

His Bulldogs host Vidalia, La., in the Aug. 31 seasonopener.

West Lincoln: The Bears concluded the week with a40-play scrimmage Friday afternoon. Tailback Stacy Fells madeseveral good runs. Quarterback Cody Mitchell scored atouchdown.

“Our kids are coming off the ball a lot better than theydid in the spring,” said Coach Roe Burns. “They have learned myoffense and the terminology better. Our offensive line is led byseniors Chris Herring and Richard Green.”

West Lincoln plays at St. Joseph in Madison, Aug.31.

“We still have to improve on our tackling on defense,”Burns added.