By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

With the first football practices of the year kicking off, coaches want their players to work as hard as possible, but they want them to stay hydrated while doing so.

While Dallas County High School coach Willie Moore had his team running lots of 40 and 50-yard sprints, he made sure to have lots of water on hand for the players.

“We watered them up pretty good today,” Moore said. “We allow the kids to go anytime they feel like they need to get a sip of water. We want them to stay hydrated.”

Moore said there was ice water and Gatorade available for the players at all times.

He said practice was also 2.5 hours long to help cut down on the time players were exposed to the heat and humidity.

He added it’s especially important to keep the players hydrated in these summer conditions.

“It’s very important for them to stay hydrated in this weather,” Moore said. “We’re very leery of the water intake because if a kid dehydrates, it’s going to put him down for a couple of days as far as being hydrated is concerned.”

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DIES

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a high school football player in Darlington County collapsed and died after a morning practice.

The Morning News of Florence reports Sunday that 14-year-old Tyquan Xavier Brantley collapsed as he walked off the practice field Saturday. He died at the hospital.

Brantley was a rising ninth grader at Lamar High School.

A Darlington County School District spokeswoman says it was the team’s second day of light practice. They had on helmets but no pads. Audrey Childers says there were on the field for an hour or so.

Grief counselors will be available for students when practice resumes Monday. The district is investigating to make sure its hydration policy was followed.

Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee says results of an autopsy won’t be released until Monday or Tuesday.

Authorities say a high school football player in Darlington County collapsed and died after a morning practice.

The Morning News of Florence reports Sunday that 14-year-old Tyquan Xavier Brantley collapsed as he walked off the practice field Saturday. He died at the hospital.

Brantley was a rising ninth grader at Lamar High School.

A Darlington County School District spokeswoman says it was the team’s second day of light practice. They had on helmets but no pads. Audrey Childers says there were on the field for an hour or so.

Grief counselors will be available for students when practice resumes Monday. The district is investigating to make sure its hydration policy was followed.

Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee says results of an autopsy won’t be released until Monday or Tuesday.