Football Friday

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 1, 2014 1:50 PM

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It's the most wonderful time of the year.

You constantly hear whistles blowing.

And coaches enthusiastically shouting "on the field now!"

The tackling dummies and four-man sleds await the players who are anxious to celebrate the hap-happiest season of all -- high school football.

Several teams in the News-Argus readership area hit the gridiron early this morning before their dew-covered practice fields had time to dry. Those who didn't crawl out of bed at the crack of dawn will officially launch their season later today.

"Opening day of football season is like Christmas in August," said Spring Creek head coach and alum Aaron Sanders. "We are ready to get things rolling. We have a lot of young faces this year and are looking forward to watching those guys develop."

The first five days of practice are used for physical conditioning. Helmets, non-padded shorts and cleats are allowed the first two days. Shoulder pads can be added on day three.

Full-uniform, body-to-body contact is permissible on day six.

Teams are limited to three-hour practices that must include a cool-down period in an air-conditioned area. Athletic trainers and first responders are responsible for monitoring the weather, and advising coaches on safety issues concerning the humidity and heat index.

"It's the greatest day of the year," second-year C.B. Aycock head coach Steve Brooks said. "All of the hard work you put in this spring will finally come out and show that you're a better player and teammate. (I'm) excited about the challenges in front of us.

"Together, we rise!"

All eyes will undoubtedly focus on two area individuals and one team this fall.

Johnny Frasier, the NCPreps.com preseason 1-A player-of-the-year, is back for his senior campaign at Princeton. The bruising back has courted numerous Division I recruiters after his record-setting campaign last fall.

Frasier rushed for 3,042 yards and amassed 50 total touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who dropped a second-round playoff game to eventual 1-AA state champion James Kenan. He'll force opposing defensive coordinators to invest in ibuprofen as they figure out ways to contain his explosiveness on Friday nights.

Rosewood is certain to use Tyree Chavious to its advantage.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound "gentle giant" has improved his blocking skills and should open some holes for the run-first Eagles. A preseason all-state selection by NCPreps.com, Chavious has verbally committed to James Madison University.

"The best time of the year starts today," RHS head coach Robert Britt said. "Everyone is excited about what could be. You get to see how your hard work in the offseason is going to help you this year. As of now, everyone has a chance to go undefeated."

James Kenan shares the state's fourth-best win streak (15 games) with Greensboro Dudley, and has won 20 consecutive regular-season contests over the past two years. But the Tigers, who have an abundance of talented athletes, return just three offensive linemen and must replace three linebackers on defense.

Princeton and James Kenan are ranked in the preseason NCPreps.com 1-A poll. Eastern Wayne is ranked among the top 15 in the preseason CarolinaPreps.com 3-A poll.

Teams can scrimmage after 10 practices and regular-season play officially kicks off Aug. 22.

"We are very excited for the start of football season," Southern Wayne head coach David Lee said. "We have had good numbers this summer and the kids seem to be eager to work. We will be young and counting on a lot of sophomores to grow up in a hurry and play well for us."