CLIMAX – The wait is over. After a long summer, Monday marked the official start of high school football.
For some, there is so much excitement, it’s like Christmas morning.
That was especially true for Justin Kirinovic, the first-year head coach of Climax-Scotts as he was able to take the wraps off of his new program for the first time as the Michigan High School Athletic Association allowed football teams across the state to practice for the first time officially on Monday, Aug. 10.
And to set the scene, with holiday music playing over a loud speaker in the background, Kirinovic talked about his first day with his team.
“It’s been a very good first day. The guys woke up and there was Christmas music playing. They were happy to be here,” Kirinovic said.
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The players woke up to the Christmas music because they weren’t in their own beds at home. The team slept in tents near the football practice field Sunday night so they would be ready for the start of the season on Monday.
Well, they slept most of the night in tents. With a heavy thunderstorm blowing through the area Sunday night, the team moved the sleepover to inside the gym for the final three hours of the morning.
“Our tents got a little wet last night. We had to move inside the school about 3 a.m. and slept the rest of the time in there,” Kirinovic said. “That threw us a little bit of curve ball, but that makes these guys tougher. It sets the tone that football is difficult and if we can get through this, we can get through anything.
“We talk about family and building bonds and memories that last a lifetime. Camping out is a tradition I wanted to start with my first year. It’s an idea that we did when I was in high school. It’s a great way to build team chemistry, hang out as a team and get to know your teammates really quickly.”
Teams across the area and the state were allowed by the MHSAA to take the field for the first time officially on Monday, many opening traditional football two-a-day practices. Programs started getting ready for the start of the season with three days of mandatory conditioning practices without pads. Most teams will be in pads by the end of the week and will hold scrimmages next week. Opening day for the high school football season is Thursday, Aug. 27 for most schools, with some playing on Aug. 28.
All fall sports began official practices Monday as well. Many of those sports will begin their seasons earlier, with tennis and golf allowed to hold contests as early as Aug. 14, volleyball, soccer, cross country and swimming on Aug. 19.
While area football programs held voluntary conditioning camps throughout the summer, Monday marked the first mandatory practices for teams and started the clock toward opening day of the season.
At Climax-Scotts, it also marked the beginning of a new era. For the first time in more than two decades, there won’t be someone named Langs running the football program. Kevin Langs was the head coach of the Panthers, dating back to the 1990s, with his son Tyler Langs taking over in recent years. Between the two, Climax-Scotts had reached the playoffs 25 straight seasons.
“Climax-Scotts has a great tradition of winning here,” Kirinovic said. “This is something I am really excited to be part of and continue.”
Senior Cole Birkam, who has spent his football career with a different coaching staff, said the entire team is adjusting to the change.
“We are just going with the flow, trying to get to know our new coach better,” Birkam said. “It’s not like it’s anything crazy, just a different coach. It’s still just football. I still have all my buddies and teammates here. Not much has changed for us as a players, I think.”
For seniors, like Birkam, the first official day of football practice means the beginning of the end, however.
“Today is really special, especially since I’m a senior,” Birkam said. “I have been doing this my whole life. This will be one of the last time I will get to do this. You kinda know you are almost done, so it means a lot more.
“But, I’m not going to lie. I don’t know what’s up with the Christmas music,” he added with a laugh.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter:@billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Climax-Scotts football kicks off with first practice, ‘it’s like Christmas morning’
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
