Kyle — Like in life, first impressions are crucial in football. Around the state this week, many coaches have been gathering their own first impressions, but for most, their first true look came today.

The first day of full contact drills in high school is always an important one. Toss on the pads and some players that looked great in shorts will quickly lose some of their luster.

Hays High was one of those squads that strapped on the pads today, and head coach Bob Shelton knew ahead of time that today would be an important step in his squad’s development.

“It’s always a lot better when you get the pads on, you can see more what kids can do,” Shelton said. “Until that you’re kind of guessing. You think they’ll be okay, but there’s always a few you’re not sure about.”

Hays lost to Lufkin High in the area playoff round last season, and Hays’ players are surely ready to start their own march to the playoffs. Strapping on full gear puts them a step closer to starting that journey.

“By the time they go this long in shorts, they’re always ready to get in pads,” Shelton said.

Hays started practice Monday and things have progressed smoothly for the Rebels, who are picked first in district 26-4A.

“We didn’t have any no-shows, and everyone looks like they’re in pretty good shape,” Shelton said. “They’ve been working pretty well this summer.”

Hays lost 51 seniors last year so needless to say, the Rebels have some reloading to do. One position that seems to be settled is quarterback. Hays will turn to Brooks Pinckard, a senior who led the Rebels to the 7-on-7 state tournament, to lead the offense.

“He’s looked real good, he’s going to be a good quarterback,” Shelton said. “We feel good about the guys behind him too.”

Juniors Clayton Rogers and Michael Kaufman will back up Pinckard.

One place the Rebels had no turnover was on the coaching staff. Shelton has been able to hold together the same staff for a long time. The shortest tenured assistant has been at Hays nearly 15 years. Shelton himself has been with the school district for 42 years. That kind of stability can help a team transition from the loss of 51 seniors.

Of course, the Rebels enter a new district after dropping to 4A. Hays will face several new opponents as well as a host of familiar faces from the 1990s when the Rebels were in 4A. New Braunfels, New Braunfels Canyon and Lockhart are among the familiar faces. The Rebels were in the same district as Lockhart for 20 years.

“It’s going to be a tough district,” Shelton said. “Some of the toughest districts I’ve been in have been in 4A.”



District 26-4A notes

Lockhart will scrimmage Hays’ season opening opponent, Boerne, Aug. 19. The Lions open the season Sept. 1 against La Grange...Lehman will hold an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning at Lehman High around 10 a.m. ... New Braunfels-Canyon won’t open practice until Monday. The Cougars took advantage of the spring practice session offered by the UIL.