Area high school football teams continued laboring throughpreseason practice this past week and the head index climbedhigher. Most teams donned full equipment Monday and struggled withthe intense heat and humidity, plus the beginning of school.

A number of area teams had team pictures taken last week.

Brookhaven Academy

“We are trying to get some timing down in full pads,” saidBrookhaven Academy coach Bo Milton.

The Cougars traveled to Yazoo City Manchester Friday for acontrolled scrimmage. They will participate in a jamboree atColumbia Academy on Saturday, Aug. 19. They make their 2006 seasondebut Aug. 25, hosting Silliman (La.) Institute.

“I think we will improve, day to day,” said Milton.

Bogue Chitto

“Practice has been going well,” said BogueChitto head coach Gareth Sartin. “We lost so much on offense anddefense, we are having to find starters on both sides of theball.

“Most of our positions are open,” he continued. “The kids havebeen working hard.”

There are 29 players participating in practice. The Bobcatsparticipate in a jamboree at Pelahatchie Aug. 18.

Brookhaven

The Panthers had their picture day Friday on King Field. CoachTucker Peavey said he was encouraged by his team’s enthusiasmduring practice, despite the energy-draining weather.

“Things went pretty well, when we had a full-go in pads,” saidPeavey. “We had some of our young guys step up and act like theybelong there.”

Peavey said finding replacements on defense is a chief concern.”We are looking for cornerbacks.”

Akeem Herring and Bart Sias return at linebacker. “We aresearching for a couple more,” said Peavey.

The Panthers host Franklin County in their Aug. 25 debut.

North Pike

“We had a great week of practice last week,” said North Pikehead coach Adam Barron. “On the third day in pads, the heat got tous. Most are adjusting to it. The kids are improving.”

Wesson

“We had a good week of practice,” said Wesson head coach TommyClopton. “When we put on the pads, we had some bumps andbruises.”

Wesson held a mock scrimmage Friday to see how much more workthe Cobras needed.

Wesson debuts Aug. 25, at Enterprise.

Parklane

“We are banged up and sore,” said Parklane head coach CharlieNewlon. “We’ve got a lot of pulls (muscles). We’ve got to get overthe hurdles.”

Parklane hosts Centreville on Friday, Aug. 18, for a jamboree.The seventh grade team will play first followed by the junior highand then high school.

Franklin County

Coach Grady McCluskey directed his Bulldogs through picture dayat noon Friday. They scrimmaged that night under the lights ofLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

“It’s been hot but our kids are working through it,” saidMcCluskey.

Franklin County hosts South Pike and Amite County for a Fridaynight jamboree.

Lawrence County

The Cougars scrimmaged late Saturday morning after taking partin picture day at 9 a.m.

“We’ve had a good week of practice,” said LCHS head coach MikeDavis. “We only had one sluggish day but the kids bounced back fromthat. We have a few kids banged up.”

The Cougars will participate in a jamboree Thursday night atPetal, featuring Hattiesburg and Petal. Meet The Cougars Night,sponsored by the LCHS Booster Club, is set for Aug. 24.

South Pike

Head coach Randall Huffman said he was pleased with his squad’sprogress. Coping with the high heat and humidity was a major factorthis week.

“It’s been so hot,” said Huffman. “The heat makes it difficultfor our players to concentrate for long periods of time. They areworking hard in difficult conditions.”

Huffman’s Eagles debut Aug. 25, versus archrival McComb.

Hazlehurst

New head coach Vernon Perry arrived on the scene Thursday afterbeing officially hired Tuesday by the Hazlehurst school board.Perry was a late replacement for Willie Brown who took the positionof athletic director and head football coach at Greenville Westonon July 28.

Perry, a former Jackson State star safety, played for the NewOrleans Saints and Houston Oilers during his NFL career.

Copiah Academy

Coach Mitch Mitchell’s Colonels began fine-tuning their offenseand defense last week. They will host a 6- team jamboree Thursdaynight at Gallman.

The jamboree menu features Copiah vs. Huntington (La.) at 6p.m., followed by Central Hinds versus Tri-County at 6:30, JacksonAcademy vs. Natchez Trinity Episcopal at 7, Tri-County vs.Huntington at 7:30, Central Hinds vs. Trinity at 8 and Copiah vs.Jackson Academy at 8:30.