Teams open in sweltering conditions

Football teams across the state opened up fall practice Monday in preparation for the 2010 season amid blistering temperatures.
Several teams decided to hold workouts early to beat the heat that reached the upper 90s by mid-afternoon.
Some, including Hartselle, practiced in the afternoon to get aclimated to the heat that they would face in the afternoon next week when school starts.
Teams will play in jamborees the week of Aug. 20-21 before the season opens a week later.
Hartselle and Danville will both be seeking a return to the state playoffs this season.
Hartselle finished with a 10-3 mark in 2009 and reached the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs last season before falling to McAdory.
Hartselle will be moving to Region 6 and will be reunited with Brewer this season. Also in the region are Cullman, Curry, Mortimer Jordan, Walker and West Point.
Danville finished with a 7-4 record after losing to top-ranked Madison Academy in the Class 3A state playoffs.
The Hawks will be moving to Region 8 and will face Clements, Colbert County, Elkmont, Lauderdale County, Rogers, Sheffield and West Morgan this season.
Brewer, Falkville and Priceville all failed to reach the playoffs after struggling last season.
Several area schools will have new coaches when the season opens. At Falkville, Brent Vest will step up from his assistant’s position to replace Neil Estes at the helm of the Blue Devils’ football program.
West Morgan assistant coach Shannon Shaw replaces Pierre Coggin at the helm of the Rebels’ program after Coggin retired this spring.