By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
There are certain adjustments, transitions and distractions that go with the opening week of high school football practice. It is because of those items that usually make the second week a smoother one.
The biggest item players had to overcome last week was the extreme heat. Temperatures hovered at or near the century mark every day last week. The heat wave is expected to continue through all of this week.
The W.S. Neal coach said probably nine of his team's 11 starting spots on offense have been determined, while seven of 11 spots on defense have been solidified.
While more starting spots on offense have been determined, Hathcock said his team's defense is ahead of the offense.
Hathcock said the first week was a transition time for his squad's six freshmen.
W.S. Neal has battled injuries early in practice so far. Senior running back Louis Ray Nelson missed the first two days of practice due to a kidney condition. Sophomore offensive linemen Chad Booker was sidelined with a broken arm, while senior running back/linebacker Bryan Pugh was sidelined with a broken foot.
W.S. Neal gets a preseason tune-up Aug. 23 when it hosts Andalusia at 7 p.m.