Spartans begin preseason football practice

Are you ready for some football? Like or not, the 2011 Spartans had to be Monday as they hit the field at 8 a.m. for the first preseason camp practice. But that’s not to say they haven’t been working hard all summer long.

First-year coach Harris Rainbow said between 90 and 100 players attended mini-camp workouts during the course of the summer. And two weeks ago, the CHS coaching staff took 75 sophomores, juniors and seniors to a Carrollton for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp at West Georgia College.

“The kids have bought into what we’re during and they’re excited,’’ Rainbow said before Monday’s first practice. “The first game is August 26 against Centennial and we’ll get them ready sooner rather than later.’’

Rainbow, a former Wheeler High School football standout was hired in April to help revitalize a program that lost 17 of 20 games during the previous two seasons. He is the Spartans' third coach in the last four years.

Rainbow said the team would work out in full pads Monday morning before going to just helmets in the afternoon. Beginning Wednesday and through next week, the Spartans will be practicing at night.

“We’ve got to stay out of the heat as much as possible,’’ he said. “The heat has been brutal.’’

The Spartans will take team pictures on Aug. 12 and have a scrimmage game at Mountain View High in Lawrenceview on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Opening Banquet is scheduled for Aug. 24 before the Knights of Centennial High pay a visit to Campbell Stadium two nights later for the season opener.

The 10-game regular season schedule also includes home games against Walton, North Cobb, Harrison and South Cobb high schools. For more information on CHS football including the CHS Booster Club Player Investment program, see here.

• Monday is also the first day of practice for the other Georgia High School Association's fall sports: cheerleading, cross-country, softball and volleyball.

• Former CHS standout and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive back Chris Lewis-Harris was recently named a preseason All-Southern Conference second-team member. The senior will also serve as one of the Mocs’ captains this fall.

• Lovett's football team also opened practice Monday with strong expectations after last year's run to the state AA semifinals. Coach Mike Muschamp led the team in drills.

To avoid the heat, Lovett's coaches have scheduled field sessions early in morning and later in the evening. They are also watering the artificial surface prior to evening practice, to cool the field temperature.

Lovett opens the season Aug. 20 at Thomasville.

- Buckhead Patch editor Louis Mayeux contributed to this story.