The Gilmer High Bobcats are set to embark on the 2023 season with Friday’s scrimmage at Commerce.
Gilmer joined the rest of the state Monday as programs were permitted to conduct practice in full pads for the first time this summer. Sixty-eight players went through the GHSA’s mandated acclimation process last week, which all players must complete before they can practice in full pads.
The GHSA’s heat and humidity acclimation bylaw states, “In the first five days of practice for any student . . . the student may wear no other protective football equipment except helmet and mouthpieces.”
The nature of the rule is a bit murky. Teams can attend GHSA approved fully-padded camps during the summer if they wish. Programs also conduct full-padded practices in the spring. Under both circumstances, acclimation is not required.
Additionally, the permitted acclimation equipment is what football players have been wearing all summer, and head coach Paul Standard would like to see the rule tweaked.
“I understand we have to do acclimation, but I don’t necessarily understand the time frame in which we do it,” said Standard, who is a member of the GHSA’s executive committee. “The Georgia Football Coaches Association, where I’m a board member as well, has proposed a gradual increase in contact over the summer.
“Meaning, we go from a series of helmets and shorts to a week of helmets and shoulder pads to then full pads. Currently, we go from helmets and shorts to full pads and then in three days you can play a game. I’m not sure how that’s better than a gradual increase.”
Standard gave a quick assessment of the team and its progress ahead of Monday’s practice.
“We have a fair amount of inexperience at the varsity level this season,” he said. “Last year, we had a lot of returning starters, and this team was still trying to find itself earlier in the summer. At that Towns County camp, something happened there, and it was really neat to see. In July, the leadership kind of started to step forward. I think the team is starting to form its personality.”
GHS will treat the week as if it were a game week during the regular season, both on and off the field in their preparation and logistical planning.
“We got a little scouting report on Commerce,” Standard said. “Their coach (Mark Hollars) and I have exchanged information. He is a great guy and a great coach, and we’re both trying to get better. We’ve kind of told each other what we’re doing on offense and defense. We also did that last year, and it worked out well.”
The scrimmage will be played under normal conditions aside from special teams. Older players will take the field in the first half, and some of the younger players are slated to play over the scrimmage’s final 24 minutes.
Friday’s kickoff at Commerce is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.