By Robert Hudson

As I’ve noted here before, football is my favorite sport and the opening of fall practices serves as a stark reminder football season is right around the corner.

However, with the good news of practices opening, there has been tragedy.

In South Carolina, a 14-year-old collapsed and died following a Saturday afternoon practice and just recently two high school football players from the state of Georgia also died following practice.

While it has not been determined if the deaths of the three young men are heat related (water was available at the practice in South Carolina and the father of one of the Georgia players says doctors told him the collapse was heat-related), this can still serve as a warning of how important it is for people, especially athletes, to stay hydrated in these hot and humid conditions.

One of the things I want to do is commend the high school football coaches in the Dallas County area.

Every practice I’ve covered, from Dallas County and Selma High to Meadowview, Morgan Academy and Southside, has been highlighted by coaches taking an extra step to make sure the players are properly hydrated.

Each school had water readily available to the players and breaks between drills were constant.

At Dallas County High School, head coach Willie Moore has made a policy where players can get some water any time they feel the need.

Meadowview Christian School head coach John Glasscock also allows players to bring any other fluid (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) they may need to the practice fields with them.

Just about every coach I’ve interviewed has mentioned the weather, conditioning and the importance of staying hydrated.

Sure, having water and other drinks available is only one step in fighting dehydration and heat stroke, but the local high school coaches still deserve some credit for putting just as much emphasis on hydration as they do x’s and o’s.