By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Aug. 5, 2002
Fall football practice for Mississippi public school teams begins today throughout the area.
New Meridian head football coach Ed Stanley will welcome the Wildcats back to work for single day practices beginning at 4 p.m.
Stanley said that with school starting at Meridian High on Thursday, it just doesn't make sense to have only three days of two-a-days.
Meridian will work from 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours for the first three days of work in helmets. On Thursday, the team can don shoulder pads for the first time.
The Wildcats plan on having their first full contact scrimmage of the fall on Aug. 13, a week from Tuesday.
Stanley said he is expecting 90 players to show up for the start of fall drills. The team has scheduled "Meet the Wildcats Night" for Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Meridian's season opener is set for Aug. 30 in Laurel.
With temperatures rising into the upper 90s for the past several weeks, Stanley and his staff will keep a watchful eye over the players in order to prevent heat-stress related problems.
Wildcat backs and receivers should be acclimated to the conditions.