PORT HURON — Let the countdown to kickoff begin.
High school football teams across Michigan held their first practices of 2026 on Monday, Aug. 10.
The Times Herald caught up with Blue Water Area coaches and players throughout the day. Here’s what they had to say less than three weeks out from opening night.
Armada
This didn’t feel like the beginning for Armada. Instead, it was the continuation of a rhythm the Tigers found at team camp in late July.
“We’re just so prepared right now,” coach Kyle Rowley said. “The way we’ve been doing it with meetings, our stuff in the weight room and even getting our gym time in, we’re right where we need to be — maybe even a little ahead of (schedule). Just in the preparedness where we really understand what we’re doing. I just think that’s huge.”
Added Rowley: “I’m not saying we’re perfect. I’m saying we’re right where we need to be. It’s really nice to be able to come out here (and) the bases are covered. We can just practice. We can go fast. We can be efficient.”
The atmosphere at Armada was electric, especially for a team that first hit the field at 8 a.m. Of the seven practices the Times Herald attended, it was the only one to start before 2:30 p.m.
“We like to keep the energy high,” junior defensive tackle Charles Bennett said. “Keep it hype all practice and really get some work in.”
The Tigers expect the energy to intensify Wednesday, Aug. 12, when players can start wearing pads.
Marine City
Despite a 7-4 finish, Marine City was never at full strength in 2025, as injuries arrived before August. So, with everyone available Monday, coach Daryn Letson breathed a sigh of relief.
“Last year, at this time, we were already down a couple of our better players,” Letson said. “We’re healthy. We’re ready to get going. We’re excited … you just start the process today, which is always exciting.”
Starting with a full deck for the first time since 2024, the Mariners were understandably upbeat.
“The energy of the first day is the best (part),” junior quarterback/slotback Tucker Volkman said. “Because everybody is just so excited to get out here and not be in the weight room anymore … with all the work we put in in the offseason, I’m excited to see how it’s going to pay off and how much better everybody got.”
At the same time, coaches will finally get a glimpse of where the team needs to go.
“We’re just looking for growth the first week,” Letson said. “The second half of the week, just making sure we’re ready to be physical.”
Port Huron
There was no offseason rust for coach Dan Perkins, whose usual moxie set the tone at Port Huron’s first practice.
“To see smiles on everybody’s face, handshakes all around — the excitement of the day is pretty awesome,” Perkins said. “And then, getting to doing football is awesome.”
As for the Red Hawks, they were doing things at a quicker tempo Monday.
“During (offseason) camp, we put in a lot of work, as far as what we’re going to be doing scheme wise,” Perkins said. “So, the ability to retain all of that information (is what I’m looking for from the players). And the older kids, at least from what I’ve seen, have been able to do that. We’re moving a lot faster than we have in the past.”
Port Huron Northern
In the past, Port Huron Northern was the early bird of practice schedules. Now, the Huskies are night owls.
“We moved practice times (from mornings to nights),” Northern coach Brett VanDrew said. “So, I was wondering what that adjustment would be like. But I thought, overall, we had good energy. We’ve got some really eager and hungry kids coming into the program.”
Perhaps the hungriest are those already established in the program, such as cornerback/wide receiver Joey Lincoln and guard/defensive tackle Brody Fye. The two seniors recalled all the work they’d put in the past nine months. Finally, they were able to unleash it Monday.
“It was a grind (over the) offseason,” Fye said. “But we’re back and I think we’re ready to go blow some stuff up.”
“It feels great to get out here and start competing with my team,” Lincoln said. “My favorite part of the (first) day is getting in my position groups and doing all the drills with them.”
Both veterans will serve crucial roles for the Huskies, whose two best players from 2025 are now playing Division I college football.
“With replacing about half of our starters on both sides of the ball, we’re trying to get as much of the learning in the first four days,” VanDrew said. “So, when the pads come on, it becomes more repetition and we continue the learning. We’re trying to attack (this week) with a lot of X’s and O’s — the thinking part of the game — just so that stuff is covered and it gives us a good base as we move into full contact.”
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Football teams ‘eager and hungry’ as practice opens across Blue Water Area
Reporting by Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
