With school starting Monday, both T.F. North and T.F. South will not have two-a-day football practices.
The District 215 schools are starting classes a week earlier, thus allowing for after-school practices. That is not great for the kids, according to T.F. North coach Artie Rogers and South coach Tom Padjen.
"The kids are in school for seven hours, with no air conditioning, then they come out and practice during the hottest part of the day," Padjen said. "We could really use those two-a-days because we have a lot of work to get done.
"It is usually a little cooler in the morning."
Last week, there were teachers' meetings on Thursday and Friday, but because Padjen, who is retired from teaching, was able to get the players on the track in the morning for some conditioning.
Both teams are coming off 4-5 seasons and are looking to return to the playoffs.
Rogers agreed that the schedule is an inconvenience, but he and his staff are working around it.
"We need the two practices, but we just go after school and try to get more work in," Rogers said. "That makes for a longer practice, but we will take a break and split it up."
Thornridge has been starting at 4 p.m. but for a different reason.
"A lot of our coaches don't teach here and are coming from their jobs," first-year Falcons coach Mike Morrissey said. "We want to make sure everybody is here."
GAME CHANGE: T.F. North's season opener against Stagg has been moved to T.F. North, confirmed Stagg athletic director Bob Fabrizio and North athletic director Therese McLaughlin.
Stagg's field is undergoing renovation and will not be ready for Aug. 27.
BEAT THE HEAT: With temperatures in the 90s last week, coaches were careful to make sure they conveyed the importance of staying hydrated.
Mt. Carmel coach Frank Lenti talked to his team on Wednesday about the importance of not only staying cool, but getting a good night's sleep and eating properly.
"Between sessions, relax and stay cool," Lenti said to his team. "Go into the gym, it's air-conditioned, and take it easy. Also make sure you eat breaKfast and make sure you bring a good lunch."
Senior Adam Connors said the coaches have the right idea.
"They want what is best for us, and it is good we have coaches who do look out for our well-being," Connors said.
GO-GO GOLSTON: Carl Golston Jr. has transferred to T.F. North from Washington as his family moved to Calumet City.
The running back/defensive back is also a guard in basketball. He is the son of Carl "Go Go" Golston, who starred at then-Public League basketball power Wendell Phillips in the 1970s and later at Loyola University.
SMITH COACHING AGAIN: Former Homewood-Flossmoor coach Kenneth Smith is an assistant coach at Thornton and will teach physical education at the school.
"I am really excited, and we have a good group of kids," Smith said. "I am working with the linebackers, and I am happy to be working with Coach (Bill) Mosel."
RUNNING STING: Seton Academy has added boys and girls cross country, according the athletic director Deon Tolliver, who is also the coach.
"We are excited to get going," Tolliver said.
Lawrence Smith is the school's new tennis coach.
T.F. NORTH GOLF OUTING: The T.F. North Booster Club will hold its outing Sept. 11 at the Lansing Country Club.
Cost is $100 per golfer, which includes golf, beverage (at halfway point) and dinner. Tee off is at 2 p.m. Cocktails are at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7:30 p.m.
Cost for just dinner is $40.
For more information, call North baseball coach Mike Kosiara at (219) 741-1912, Bob Oderwald at (708) 275-0720, Jacob Kosiara at (219) 384-0723 or Mike Mosele at (708) 204-6878.
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