Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

Despite New Requirements, Changes in Procedures, BHS Football Summer Conditioning has Big Turnout

By Jeff Toquinto on July 02, 2020

It is not business as usual for the Bridgeport High School football team when it comes to summer conditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, business is open and the number of customers – in the case player participation – is as high as it has ever been.
 
“With our summer conditioning, we’re usually lucky to see 25 kids,” said Coach John Cole. “From phase one forward we’ve had close to an average of 40 kids a day four days a week. The first Monday in June we had 47 kids, and Coach (Adam) King’s group went, I think, nearly three weeks with perfect attendance.
 
“I think the numbers are the result of some other sports they might be doing not taking place as one of the reasons,” Cole continued. “Another thing may be the players are tired of being at home and this is a chance to get out. We’re just happy they’re here.”
 
When they have been at the conditioning, which saw weightlifting added on June 15, things have been different. Cole said even though he believes the rules say you can have up to 25 in weight facilities, the coaches have been doing work in groups of 10.
 
“Most of the time we are using a maximum of 10 in a group either in stations on the field or in the weight room,” said Cole.
 
The initial two weeks consisted of just conditioning and work outside. Cole said they got creative and did some basic weight work in the outdoor batting cages thanks to the kindness of baseball Coach Robert Shields.
 
“We’re trying to make this work. We’re there from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a 30-minute break between 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. with groups,” said Cole. “It’s got some challenges.”
 
The worst part, Cole said, is simply the inability to be together as a team and a coaching staff. He said, at times, that produces a strain.
 
“You’ve got groups of coaches, two coaches with a group early and two later, and it’s a lot harder to communicate,” said Cole. “To try to keep things easier, we’ve divided as much as possible the linemen in groups and the skill players in groups.”
 
Cole said, even with the changes, it is not something that should curtail the goal of prepping the team for August practice and what many are hoping will be a regular season this fall.
 
“Does it hurt how we’re doing it? I don’t think so. With 10 kids you can create competition, but at the same time you know it’s better if the entire team is there,” Cole said.
 
Cole also said each practice starts the same way. Coaches of their groups are required to ask each player standard questions relating to their health aimed at the Coronavirus.
 
Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of Ben Queen Photography.

View Photo Gallery

Sponsored by Bridgeport Conference Center
06/25/20 BHS Football Practice


Share

Leave a Comment
Login or register

Leave a Comment

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad
Ad

Related Articles

  • Gallery II: More of the Sights from the Annual Indians Youth Football Camp at Wayne Jamison Field
  • Photos: Indians Youth Football Camp 2025 a Big Hit
  • Gallery III: Jamison-Reppert Golf Tourney Last Look

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Recalling My Friend D.D....

    It was mentioned in the obituary. In fact, it was very concise and to the point in a memorial so loaded with good deeds an...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: Johnson Avenue "Pre-Sheetz"...

    Look familiar? If it doesn't, it's because today this area of Johnson Avenue is completely built up. Th...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Direct Flight from Bridg...

      If you haven’t taken advantage of the direct flights from North Central West Virginia Airpor...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: Reading is Perfect Activi...

    We can positively announce that summer is on its way.   We now have longer days and the daylight hours seem t...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    Crisis Chronicles: It Takes a Village

    Around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30th, my phone started buzzing with weather alerts. This spring has been particularly int...

    Posted by Tim Curry

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: Recalling One of the Best Re...

    I’ve had my share of good food in my life. On the culinary front, if you’re fortunate enough to be living here in the...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Love and Light: Sweet Honeysuckle

    One of the simple pleasures of living in Bridgeport, West Virginia is tasting the little drop of nectar inside the rip...

    Posted by Leigha Randolph

Sports Calendar [ view all ]

Sep
6

Golf Tournament

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.