Midnight practices exciting for players
It's midnight in Columbia County. Usually, people are sleeping, or at least they are in their homes.
Back
Greenbrier quarterback Sean Gray (7) readies to take the snap at the Wolfpack's Midnight Madness.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
But this past Monday was different.
More than 350 of Columbia County's athletes were out on the football field participating in the largest "Midnight Madness" football practice in county history.
All four public schools held simultaneous practices at 12:01 early Monday morning. Monday was the first day the Georgia High School Association allows full-contact practices, so the county's coaches got started as early as possible.
"We had a countdown from 10, and when we got to one, we were hitting," said Greenbrier coach Mickey Derrick. "You wait all summer to get to this point, and the kids were excited."
Greenbrier held its first midnight practice on Monday and Derrick said the players had no idea about the upcoming practice session. The players showed up to school Sunday evening and there was a cookout for about 600 players, coaches, friends and family to kick off the Wolfpack's football camp.
Evans coach Marty Jackson tells freshman Tyler Horn what to do at the Midnight Madness practice.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
The Wolfpack coaching staff put the team to bed at 11:30 p.m. Derrick went in and told the players to get their pads and get out on the field for practice.
"We kept it a pretty good secret," said Derrick. "I don't think they had any idea. They got really excited when we got out there."
It was nothing new to Lakeside, Evans and Harlem, which have held midnight practices for the past few years.
Evans practiced for nearly 1 hours in front of close to 200 fans.
Knights coach Marty Jackson said his teams have always held midnight practices and the players "love them."
Lakeside coach Randy Hill agreed, adding that the practices are an opportunity for parents and fans to show support for the team. Hill told his players to thank those who attended the hour-long practice.
Lakeside's Chris Drayton carries the ball at the Panthers' Midnight Madness practice.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Harlem has held midnight practices frequently under coach Jimmie Lewis and was the only school in the county to have one last year. A cancelled the practices at the other county schools.
Greenbrier will have its players spend the night at the school through today. Evans will allow its players to return home every night during its camp, and Harlem traditionally follows the same schedule.
Augusta Christian will hold its football camp at Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Ga., July 31-Aug. 3.
Teddy Leverett (left) and Clayton Thomas collide during a drill at the late-night practice.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Harlem football players stretch as they prepared for the Midnight Madness before the 2004.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Lakeside coach Randy Hill speaks with his players after the Panthers' Midnight Madness practice Monday.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Brandon McCladdie and Reuben Faloughi participate in a drill at the Evans Knights' Midnight Madness practice.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter