Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
The Hurley Midgets started football practice on a cool Tuesday morning that felt like football season. Devin Czerneski (44) works on an alley drill with a teammate as assistant coach Dan Rye watches practice at the Hurley K-12 School. The Midgets open the season Aug. 21, hosting Shell Lake. Local Michigan high school football teams begin practice next week.
HURLEY - It felt like fall Tuesday morning. The air was cooler. And there was football.
Thirty-eight Hurley Midgets took part in the first day of practice at the Hurley K-12 School. A couple of players weren't there Tuesday and the number of players is expected to hit approximately 40.
"We wish we had a couple more freshmen and sophomores, but we have plenty of upperclassmen (about 26)," Hurley coach Scott Erickson said.
It was a typical first day, he said. Some players were rusty. Coaches tried to refresh some of the things learned in June's summer camp that helped Hurley fine tune its wing T offense.
"I think that went well," Erickson said. "Day 2 is always smoother."
The preseason scrimmage is set for Friday, Aug. 14 in Hayward with Ashland and Chequamegon also expected to attend.
The season opens on Aug. 21 when Shell Lake comes to Hurley.
Hurley finished 8-3 last season.
"We've got some good looking kids, I think it's going to be a good season," Erickson said. "Nice mix of some size and some speed. I think we might be a little more athletic than last year. I guess that's to be seen here."
Michigan teams, including Ironwood and the Gogebic Miners, start practice Monday.
