News spread quickly at metro Atlanta high schools after Tuesday’s deaths of two Georgia high school football players.
Some coaches openly talked about the tragedies with their players at Wednesday’s practices, while others took the opportunity to review their team policy for hot weather conditions.
There had been no ruling late Tuesday as to whether Locust Grove High School offensive lineman Forest Jones and Fitzgerald High defensive lineman DJ Searcy died from heat-related injuries. Both collapsed recently during workouts.
“We prayed as a team for them, and I’ve sent out a parent letter giving parents the guidelines on how to assist us in taking care of the kids,” Drew coach Jarrett Laws said.
Laws met with his team briefly Wednesday, as Clayton County School canceled outdoor activities. For upcoming practices, Law said he made the decision to allow his team to work out in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts “in order to assist in the kids’ care.”
Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford switched this week’s practice schedule from the late afternoons to 6 a.m. after looking at the weather forecast.
“I addressed the deaths with the team,” Wofford said. “I just asked if they had heard about the incidents and encouraged them to drink as much water as they could, even when they weren’t thirsty — and that includes throughout the school year.”
Lovejoy coach Al Hughes said he reviewed the school’s heat policy with the team, emphasizing the importance of eating right and hydration. “Heat acclimation should start early in the summer,” Hughes said. “We used to have the ability to bring kids in early enough to go one week in shorts, one week in helmets, one week in shells, then start practice in full pads with two weeks before the first game.
“We also used to have the ability to take kids to summer camps in full pads. All these things allowed for proper acclimation without rushing to get things done before you have to play.”
Sprayberry coach Billy Shackelford didn’t mention the player deaths specifically, but made sure the players knew that safety comes first. “We have a ‘Golden Rule’ which allows players to get water any time they want it,” he said. “We also work in mandatory times for the kids to hydrate and take equipment off.”
Stone Mountain coach Dante Ferguson is directing his team in two-a-day practices, with most of the intense conditioning performed in the early-morning session. Ferguson lectured the players on heat exhaustion. “They were informed that stopping activity if they are feeling ‘funny’ in the heat is not a sign of weakness,” Ferguson said.
Brookwood coach Mark Crews said the reigning Class AAAAA state champions take all kinds of precautions, including weighing every player before and after practices.
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