Local high school football players can’t wait until the season starts in early September – then, they’ll get to play in the cool night air.

As Suffolk’s heat index hovered around 100 Friday afternoon, Nansemond River High trainer Sarah Smith kept her gridiron stars hyradrated during their first week of (non-padded) practice.

&uot;It’s a hot one!&uot; she said &uot;But it’s not as bad as its been over the past few days. I cool them down with water and hydrate them. I give them ice packs and towels. We have a breeze going today, so that’s good.&uot;

After one player fell to his knees, Smith gave him some water and told him to keep his hands above his head.

&uot;It’s very hot,&uot; said Korey Taylor, taking a sip of water on a break from junior varsity practice. &uot;It’s messing with my breathing and I’m sweating too much. I’m overweight, so I need to lose some of that.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com