<p>Packmom, where are ya'll and when does your school start? And yes, let's hope for some cooler weather! Strangely, our summer has been cooler that NY or PA these past few days! We may have a hurricane headed our way though. I hope it goes south!!!</p>
<p>ag54, We are in NC. The first day of school is Aug.25th. The game on Aug. 18th is called an "endowment" game. Don't really know what that means. Maybe they had to give it a special name so they could play before school starts!</p>
<p>Very few of the football deaths are due to underlying conditions. They are directly heatstroke deaths this time of year, and they are entirely preventable when reason is used. No one has ever accused a football coach of being reasonable however.</p>
<p>We had a fifteen year old die last week after football practice in a neighboring district (Highland Springs). He felt bad and went to sit out. The coaches called the EMT. Ironically, the paramedics declared the boy fine and sent him home, where he then died. 600 people, including a lot of kids went to his funeral; very sad. </p>
<p>Our school doesn't start official practices until Aug. 14. Our Ss two-a-days are 8:00 to 1:00 with some breaks in between. I think if the paramedics are called here, the kids must go to the hospital to be checked out by doctors. Nevertheless, it's scary this year. It's supposed to hit 105 this Thursday. Our school has a terrible team and it's not that intense, thank goodness. </p>
<p>Our S broke his femur playing football as an 11 year old in rec and had two operations and a two year recovery, including being bed ridden and home schooled the remainder of the school year of the break. The desire to play again, however, motivated every minute of his very difficult years of therapy. He had a strong year last year and seems to be 100% now at 15.</p>
<p>packmom, wow, that is early. School starts on August 16, and our first scrimmage is August 25, the first pre season game is not until September 2. I thought Texas started early, but we've got nothing on ya'll. Our guys won't be in pads until the week of the 21st (4 days before the scrimmage!!). </p>
<p>This is my sr. s's last year, so we are feeling a little bittersweet about the whole thing! It will be so sad in November when it is over for good. He has been playing since he was 9. It has been a hard decision for him if he wanted to try to play in college (D3) or hang up the cleats. After visiting Notre Dame and U. of Texas (neither of which he would even walk on at) he has decided that he is ready to give it up.</p>
<p>ag54: At least at ND he can do the full equipment intramural leagues.</p>
<p>That's true, but we wouldn't be watching :(</p>
<p>I think he is leaning toward UT though. We had an awesome visit yesterday with an advisor in the business school and it looks like a deal that can't be beat - great program, instate tuition, within driving distance of home, etc. I think he will get used to watching from the stands and maybe playing intramurals. He says he might take up golf... I think it is good choice (for his knees when he is 50 lol)</p>
<p>ag54, yes it will be sad when it's over. I watched Moms of Sr. players ball in the stands at the last game last year. My S is just a Jr. this year. Been playing since he was 11. So I've got another season to go after this one. He has practice tomorrow with helmets and pads and on Monday it's full gear and hitting. They have a scrimmage one week from today,Aug. 11! Can you believe that! My S is prob. gonna go to a state u too. So his playing days are numbered. He's a lineman but not big enough to do it in college. Good luck to you and your son in his final season.</p>
<p>An aggie son at UT?? Isn't that a crime in College Station?</p>