Latrobe, PA – The buzz of excitement filled the air on the morning of August 12, 2024, as high school football teams across Western Pennsylvania kicked off their training camps. With helmets on and fierce determination in their eyes, players from various local schools hit the field early for a fresh start to the season.
At Greater Latrobe High School, the Wildcats were up at dawn, starting their first practice at 6 a.m. under the rising sun. Players jumped right into intense Oklahoma drills, testing their toughness and establishing a competitive tone for the rest of the camp. Lineman Cody Krall expressed his enthusiasm for the early practices, saying, “We’ve gotten used to them. I get up at 3 a.m. for fishing trips, so this isn’t too bad.” Teammate Braden Bronson added, “We loved coming out and hitting right away like that.”
Meanwhile, the Belle Vernon Leopards, two-time defending WPIAL and PIAA champions, approached the new season with focused intensity. Running back Kole Doppelheuer emphasized, “We came here all business. We didn’t talk about the past.” Coach Matt Humbert prepared for the grueling daily practices, reminding players of the expectations as the competition ramps up.
Teams like Hempfield and Norwin returned to Class 6A after two years in 5A. Hempfield coach Nick Keefer noted the electric atmosphere as his team went through a 4-on-4 tackle drill. “It felt like camp this morning from the minute I walked out of the house,” he said, capturing the spirited vibe shared by each coach as the new season begins.
Across the area, other teams, including Derry and Yough, joined in the excitement as the camp season kicked off with high hopes for the upcoming matches. “The pads were popping this morning on Cougar Mountain,” said Yough’s coach, Ben Hoffer. This sentiment is echoed in the eagerness felt at Ligonier Valley and Jeannette, where coaching staffs felt the thrill of the first day as the sun started to warm the fields.
Looking ahead, teams are set to scrimmage this Saturday, leading into the first games of the season, which start next Friday with Week Zero matchups. Excitement is building, and players and coaches alike are ready to put in the hard work needed to make this season another memorable one.
