About 90 Beaufort High School players started summer football practice on July 29 at Eagles Stadium on Lady’s Island. In an effort to beat the heat, practice begins at 8 a.m. and is complete by 9 a.m. with several water breaks taken. BHS 10th grader Jeden Pope carries the ball during a “team drill” Wednesday, Aug. 3. Head coach Bryce Lybrand said his defending Lower State Champions’ first game will be at home on Friday, Aug. 19 against Cane Bay.

Hitting the field

Area schools open football practice

Photos by Bob Sofaly

As the first day of the school year approached, so approached the opening kickoff of the high school football season. And the area’s squads took to the fields recently and started working in preparation of the season’s first games later this month and early next month.

For the area’s teams, the season may hold the potential for improvement, the promise of success, a return to the playoffs or even the chance for a championship. For the individual players, the upcoming season could represent the next step in their athletic career. Or it could be their last season before they move on to adulthood.

Whale Branch Early College High School Head Football Coach Jerry Hatcher, left, holds off on blowing the whistle until his athletes do the “box drill” to his liking during practice Monday, Aug. 8, at the school. The Warriors first game will be a non-region home game Friday, Aug. 26, against North Charleston.
Whale Branch Early College High School Head Football Coach Jerry Hatcher, left, holds off on blowing the whistle until his athletes do the “box drill” to his liking during practice Monday, Aug. 8, at the school. The Warriors first game will be a non-region home game Friday, Aug. 26, against North Charleston.
Beaufort Academy Head Football Coach Mark Clifford, left, makes sure his athletes know their assignments before the ball is snapped during early morning football practice Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the school’s practice field. Clifford said his Eagles’ first game will be away Friday, Aug. 19, at Pinewoood Prep.
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