You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.

Timeline of the first day of football practice across Washtenaw County

By Pete Cunningham

ypsilanti-football-smile.JPG

An Ypsilanti Community High School football player smiles while on the sidelines during practice at the school on Monday, August 12, 2013.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Monday was the first day of high school football practice in the state of Michigan. Teams practiced from sunup to sundown across Washtenaw County. Here's a look at some things that happened in between time:

6 a.m. -- Check-in at Ypsilanti Community High School's first-ever football practice. Nearly 50 former Ypsilanti and Willow Run players are in attendance for the first day. "There can’t be Willow Run and Ypsi, it has to be one team one mind, and we have to act like one machine," said Ypsilanti senior Dauda Sylla.

8 a.m. -- After seeing the rain outside and seeing storms on the radar, Saline heads indoors to start its season. There, they take part in what coach Joe Palka calls a “glorified walk-through,” doing installations and formation recognition.

10:55 a.m. -- After suffering through a torrential downpour for the first two practices of the day, head coach Rufus Pipkins dismisses the Ypsilanti players from the field to the weight room.

saline-football-zach-owings-pic.JPG

Saline's Zach Owings intercepts a pass during Monday's practice.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

11:45 a.m. -- Ypsilanti players are dismissed from the weight room After a 30 minute circuit training session. As players exit the weight room one puts on a Vancouver Grizzlies snap-back hat. The since-moved NBA team existed from 1995-2001 the Ypsilanti Grizzlies are embarking on their first season in 2013.

1:16 p.m. -- It’s still pouring rain, but there’s no thunder or lightning, so the Hornets are on the field doing 11-on-11 drills. And the rain doesn’t stop Hornets corner Zach Owings from notching a pick and drawing big applause from his teammates and coaches.

1:57 p.m -- The weather has cleared up, and most Saline players have shed their wet shirts for the series of 100-yard runs to finish up practice. For the last few, players start the dash by yelling “state champs.”

4:55 p.m. -- At Huron’s Riverbank Stadium, players are split into position groups and working on fundamentals. New coach Craig Jobe is overseeing the linemen and running backs, while the receivers work on route running near the middle of the field.

4:56 p.m. -- At Hollway Field at Pioneer High School, Pioneer breaks for water. After a quick drink, linemen go with head coach Jari Brown for technique drills while skill position players compete in 7-on-7 drills.

pi-hi-footaball-drink.JPG

A Pioneer football player enjoys a drink during a brief break at practice Monday, August 12.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

5:09 p.m. -- Pioneer quarterback Brandon Bertoia hits receiver VaShon Davis in stride 12-yards deep on a post route. Davis is small, but lightning quick, and slips past his defender and a safety untouched. He sprints all the way to the end zone.

5:35 p.m. -- Bertoia's final pass of the late afternoon practice bounces off the hands of his receiver and into those of a defender. Shortly after the interception, players exit the field for a brief break and are set to return for a 6:45-9 p.m. session.

5:40 p.m.-- After finishing up running some of their newly installed plays, players listen to a speech from Jobe before taking a quick break. He then goes over a few things with his coaches. They started their day at 3 p.m., and aren’t scheduled to finish until 8. “You’re always excited to get going,” Jobe said.

-- Kyle Austin contributed to this article.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.

Comments

Cathy Dotson

Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:13 a.m.

Why no coverage for Skyline HS? This is Ann Arbor.com and you can't even cover all the high schools in Ann Arbor! Let's cover "our own" first before you go out of town looking for news...

Pete Cunningham

Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:24 a.m.

As stated above, we'll be at Skyline on Thursday for the first day of hitting, so please check back for coverage. Glad to see so many people excited about Skyline coverage.

towncryer

Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.

Lots of "first days of practice" coverage for the boys sports...

Pete Cunningham

Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.

Only one sport, actually: football. Not a boy or girls thing, it's a football thing. There was a girl player for Whitmore Lake. Check out pic #13 in this gallery http://annarbor.com/sports/high-school/images-from-the-second-day-of-football-practice-at-whitmore-lake/

zucker

Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.

Nothing on Skyline?

Pete Cunningham

Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 2:44 a.m.

We will be out at skyline on Thursday for the first day of hitting, so stay tuned.

Orangecrush2000

Tue, Aug 13, 2013 : 10:31 p.m.

Finally, an all-Ypsilanti football team, the way it should have always been. A house united.