Heritage Hall sees record turnout for two-a-days
By Zach West
zwest@oklahoman.com
The first morning of Heritage Hall two-a-day football practices has come and gone, and head coach Andy Bogert is just happy he has enough equipment for everyone.
The Chargers are experiencing a record turnout for football this year, with over 80 kids arriving for the season’s first official practice. Bogert said the most kids Heritage Hall had seen previously was around 60.
“We’re close to being out of equipment,” Bogert said. “We got lucky and ordered another 20 extra helmets.”
Making matters even more interesting, Bogert moved the Chargers’ first practice to the school’s indoor facility because the outdoor fields were too wet. Squeezing 80 kids indoors, however, proved to be a challenging task.
The reason for the influx of players is simple: the Chargers have an enormous freshman class with over 30 players. The group is so large that Bogert plans on fielding a freshman team with its own schedule for the first time, well, ever.
“That helps immensely,” Bogert said. “The more you can get in the mix in a game situation, the more you can progress.”
Other interesting tidbits from Heritage Hall:
*Today marked the first high school practice for Barry Sanders, Jr., the son of former OSU and NFL legend Barry Sanders. Sanders, Jr., a 5-10, 170-pound freshman, already runs a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash and will likely see the field on offense, defense and special teams this year, Bogert said.
“He’s got loads of potential,” Bogert said. “And he’s only going to get bigger, stronger and faster. He’s going to be really good.”
*Quarterback Turner Petersen has fully recovered from a sprained ankle suffered several weeks ago. The injury, which occurred while Petersen was chasing Sanders, Jr., kept the senior out of the Top Gun Challenge in Tulsa. Other than an ankle wrap, Petersen showed no ill effects today.
“It’s fine,” Petersen said. “I didn’t sleep much last night I was so excited for today.”
*Heritage Hall players were difficult to tell apart today, as all wore shirts with the No. 43 to honor teammate Ford Price. Price, a senior, was diagnosed this spring with Ewing’s sarcoma, a cancer that has forced him to undergo chemotherapy as well as a recent surgery in Boston. Price will miss the season.
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