By Myra Bean and Angie Ledbetter

Football practice has been hot in more ways than one the last two weeks of practice.

With two weeks from today as opening day, the teams do not have much choice. With the heat index above 100 for the past week, the MHSAA (Mississippi High School Association) has limited practice for teams during the hottest parts of the day.

South Panola has gained special permission to practice during that time since the Saturday, August 28 game against Colquitt County, Ga. will be held at 12:45 eastern standard time, according to head coach Lance Pogue.

There is a constant flow of water and the players have access to water anytime they want it, according to the fourth year head coach.  

“We don’t have certain times when we take water breaks,” Pogue said. “They know if they need water they can get it anytime. I know the guidelines with MHSAA and I’m fine with it. We’re doing what we’re suppose to do.”

  In the second week of practice, the South Panola Tigers took to the field in pads and helmets while temperatures soared into the triple digits all week but handled it well according to Pogue.

“This goes back to our summer conditioning program which helped tremendously,” he said. “We’re trying to get ready for games that we have to play in the heat so there is no other way than to prepare except practice in it. I feel good about everything but we’re just trying to fight through the heat right now.”

   North Panola has been having two-a-days since they were a week behind getting to the practice field. Twenty players showed up the first day on Monday. Monday morning the team was able to get in practice time, but did a light workout in the shade Monday afternoon when the heat index soared above 100.

Assistant coach Ricky Hunt was upbeat about players who showed up. “The same ones who were here this afternoon were here this morning.”

South Panola opens the season with three road games starting Saturday, August 21 at Petal.

North Panola opens the season at home Friday, August 20, hosting Kingbury of Memphis.