![Gavin Perez prepares to snap the ball during field goal...]()
Gavin Perez prepares to snap the ball during field goal drills at practice at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Maury quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk sprints across the gym during practice...]()
Maury quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk sprints across the gym during practice at Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. A heat threshold forced practice to be moved inside. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Bethel quarterback Derek Fisher catches a snap as players run...]()
Bethel quarterback Derek Fisher catches a snap as players run through team drills at practice at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Bethel head coach David Porter walks players through the schedule...]()
Bethel head coach David Porter walks players through the schedule for practice before temperatures cooled enough to return outside at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Malik Williams watches as his teammates run through drills in...]()
Malik Williams watches as his teammates run through drills in the “Dollar Dome” gymnasium at practice at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Players sprint across the field to start practice at Grassfield...]()
Players sprint across the field to start practice at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Kellam receiver Brady Morrill makes a catch during wide receiver...]()
Kellam receiver Brady Morrill makes a catch during wide receiver drills at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Maury players watch film before the start of practice at...]()
Maury players watch film before the start of practice at Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. The team is hopeful to repeat as state champions this season. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Grassfield head coach Joe Jones councils his team before practice...]()
Grassfield head coach Joe Jones councils his team before practice at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. An eighth grader ran up to offensive coordinator Rod Johnson to ask if Johnson was a coach and if the player was in the right spot. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Kellam offensive players huddle around quarterback Luke Ashcraft for a...]()
Kellam offensive players huddle around quarterback Luke Ashcraft for a play call during drills at practice at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Kellam quarterback Luke Ashcraft, center, works on his hand off...]()
Kellam quarterback Luke Ashcraft, center, works on his hand off as players run through drills at practice at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. Around 10:30 a.m. a heat advisory was issued that forced the team off the field. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Kellam offensive lineman run through drills at practice at Kellam...]()
Kellam offensive lineman run through drills at practice at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Players put their hands on their head between running sprints...]()
Players put their hands on their head between running sprints at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Oscar Smith quarterback Lonnie Andrews delivers a pass to a...]()
Oscar Smith quarterback Lonnie Andrews delivers a pass to a teammate at practice at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Coaches use boxing gloves try to knock the ball from...]()
Coaches use boxing gloves try to knock the ball from running back Jayden Bryant during a drill at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Kellam’s Grant Joseph makes a cut around a cone during...]()
Kellam’s Grant Joseph makes a cut around a cone during drills at practice at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
![Grasssfield head coach Joe Jones talks to players before practice...]()
Grasssfield head coach Joe Jones talks to players before practice at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Gavin Perez prepares to snap the ball during field goal drills at practice at Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug 1, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
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Football players around Hampton Roads strapped on their cleats and helmets to hit the grid iron for the first time of the 2024-25 VHSL season on Aug. 1, 2024. Excessive heat would force many to move their practice inside in compliance with VHSL temperature standards.
