Woke up before sunrise thinking today’s football prep at Huron High would be straightforward. Boy, was I wrong. Pulled into the parking lot just as the maintenance crew was switching on the stadium lights. Could smell the fresh paint on the goalposts already.
Getting Dressed Disaster
Unlocked the equipment room, flipped on the buzzing fluorescent lights, and started hauling pads out. Forgot how stiff new shoulder pads feel until I wrestled one on. Tripped over a tackling dummy trying to get my cleats tied right. Thought I heard the coach chuckling outside the door.
Warmup Whirlwind
Hit the field as sunrise colored the bleachers orange. Started stretching when some juniors showed up early wanting to practice handoffs. My stiff pads clicked like plastic armor every time I moved. Attempted a simple jog route demonstration – stepped in a gopher hole near the 40-yard line. Face-planted into dew-soaked grass while kids tried not to laugh.
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Three failed snaps later:
- First snap flew over quarterback’s head
- Second one rolled like lame duck at his ankles
- Third hit him square in the gut – knocked wind outta him
Coach’s Reality Check
Head coach blew his whistle sharp enough to scare crows off the field goal netting. Walked over chewing gum like it owed him money. “Stop treating the ball like hot potato,” he growled. Made me hold follow-through position after each snap until my arm shook. Said my stance was “as weak as soggy toast.”
Drill lasted until grass stains covered both knees and I was seeing double. Ended with 60-yard wind sprints while sophomores chased us waving blocking pads. Almost hurled my protein bar into the Gatorade bin.
Aftermath Musings
Showered under water pressure weaker than our pass defense. Sat peeling tape off ankles wondering why practice jerseys shrink every wash cycle. Overheard coordinators arguing play strategies echoing from tile walls. One kept shouting about “stopping outside runs.” The other insisted “quarterback contain” was impossible without better linebackers.
Still finding blue artificial turf pellets in my duffel bag tonight. Every muscle groans when I reach for ibuprofen. Honestly thought high school football prep would be nostalgic – forgot how much practice drills break you down before building anything up. Might swap these new pads for last year’s stinky ones tomorrow.