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NATCHEZ — The Cathedral High School Green Wave and the Natchez High School Bulldogs focused on strength and conditioning on the first day of football practice on Tuesday.

Delta Charter School, Vidalia High School and Ferriday High School also began football practices on Tuesday.

At Cathedral’s practice, the Green Wave ran sprints up a hill at D’Evereux Stadium, ran sprints on a field lifted weights after running sprints on the field.

Chuck Darbonne, head Green Wave football coach, said approximately 40 players turned out for practice and separated into two groups.

Darbonne said running is an important factor in getting players into shape.

“We like to think of this time as the re-acclimation period, back to the normal they had in March where we were going to workout every day,” Darbonne said. “We were going to run four days a week between lifting in the spring. Now that we have them back, we are trying to push them back through running again and trying to get them used to what they have to go through when it is really hot.”

Sam Mosby, Jacob Moore and Bryson Moore are some of the returning players for the Green Wave this season.

“We had a lot of running to do, and we have to get back in shape for the season,” Moore said. “The sprints are going to pay off in the end.”

For three months, high school football teams have been waiting to return to practices after having to take a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moore said he felt good at the first practice.

Mosby said he enjoyed practicing again.

“It felt good to be back with everybody,” Mosby said. “I think it’s good because we have not been working out. The sprints help because we are going to be in shape and ready to go. I have been waiting on returning to practice.”

Three miles away, the Bulldogs were also on the football field practicing.

For Natchez High, approximately four-to-five groups were spread out on the track and the adjacent grass field working on strength and conditioning.

“It feels amazing to have an opportunity to get back out here with these kids,” said Randy Craft, Natchez High head football coach. “I feel some sense of normalcy and getting the opportunity to get ready for football.”

Seniors Raymone Bowman and Lionell (LJ) Minor said they were happy to return to the football field again.

“To me, I’m really glad to be back out here. I have not been out here for a while,” Minor said. “I was ready to play with my teammates again. I have been waiting for this moment to return to practice.”

Both the Green Wave and Bulldogs practice from 8-10 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.