The chance to knock off the rust is now at hand for high school football teams.

The South Effingham Mustangs greeted the first day of full pads workouts with plenty of hitting on one of the hottest days of the year.

“We’re looking for some guys who love to hit,” said head coach Greg Manior. “We’re still teaching fundamentals and if you can make the play, that’s what we’re looking for. The coaches are looking for that right combination of kids who can get it done, and it doesn’t matter what you are in.”

The Mustangs tried to wait out the heat, and they didn’t take the field until after 5:30 p.m. Heat indices reached as high as 112 early Wednesday and were 108 in some parts of the county as the school day ended and practice was scheduled to begin.

“We try to push it back as far as we can,” Manior said.

Manior said athletic trainer Chase Grant does a good job of monitoring the heat and the humidity.

“We don’t put our kids in harm’s way by any means,” Manior said.

Water bottles are handy throughout practice and there are water cows available where several players can get refreshed quickly.