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South Effingham Football Opens Practice with Midnight Madness
Midnight Madness
Coaches watch South Effingham quarterback Liam Coburn in the pocket during the Mustangs’ late-night full-contact practice. The team opened the GHSA contact period with a 12:01 a.m. ‘Midnight Madness’ workout on July 29. (Birk Herrath / Effingham Herald)

GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham’s football team didn’t waste any time getting to work in full pads.

At 12:01 a.m. Monday, SEHS players took the field in helmets, shoulder pads and padded pants — the first minute of the first day high school football players in Georgia could practice in full equipment, in accordance with Georgia High School Association guidelines.

It was the Mustangs’ version of Midnight Madness, a tradition often associated with basketball. The final whistle blew around 1:45 a.m. The 100 parents and fans in attendance didn’t have to go home, but they couldn’t stay at the Corral.

Midnight Madness
The Mustangs get physical in a blocking drill as South Effingham kicked off its full-contact season with a Midnight Madness practice. (Birk Herrath / Effingham Herald)

Mental edge

“It’s odd to be out here at midnight,” said SEHS junior running back Maddox Vasquez. “There’s a whole mentality of not being affected by time or the elements. I wrestle, and wrestling has helped me be a better football player. In wrestling, you have to be mentally strong.”

The temperature reached 98 degrees Sunday afternoon and was still a balmy 85 when the players took the field in the early hours of Monday.

“We love to be here, hyped and pumped, ready to hit somebody,” said Mustang junior lineman Isiah DelPino, a 290-pounder. “You find a way to block out the heat. The adrenaline pushes you. We were all out of breath, but we kept running the drills.”

Midnight Madness
South Effingham players go through a tackling drill during the team’s Midnight Madness practice. (Birk Herrath / Effingham Herald)

Senior urgency

Senior wide receiver Jayden Hair said he didn’t bother with an afternoon nap in preparation for the late-night session. Instead, he watched highlights of NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

“To be honest with you, playing in pads is a great feeling,” Hair said. “It tests your athletic ability. The way you move in pads is different than just a shirt and shorts. This tests my speed. Football is a contact sport, and hitting is part of it — so you better be ready to take those hits.”

Team captain David Lane, a senior lineman, has missed time throughout his career because of injuries. Putting on pads and returning to the field after his most recent knee surgery was meaningful — regardless of the time or temperature.

“It’s starting to set in — this is the last ride,” Lane said. “It’s my senior year. I can’t let my size or my injury history put a wrench in my success or my team’s success. We have a big leap to take, but this program has a bright future, and I’m hoping it starts this year.”