AUSTIN, Texas -- Plenty of Texas students are already back in the classroom but we’re still in the midst of summertime triple-digit temperatures.

  • Triple-digit temps this week
  • High school football players practice early
  • Breaks, hydration prevent injury 

In fact, football camp is in session at a lot of Texas high schools.

Football and summer heat can be a potentially deadly mix, so football coaches are ensuring their players drinks plenty of water and take frequent breaks.

At James Bowie High School in Austin, athletic trainer Pablo Riera said that despite the excessive heat there have been no heat-related issues reported.

Practice at Bowie starts at 6:45 a.m., allowing the players to complete drills before daytime heat sets in. They are brought inside at noon to review video.

Even then, there are water cows set up along the field, and trainers distribute water to players. There are also ice baths available should a player overheat.

Riera said that aside from preventing heat exhaustion, frequent water breaks minimize the risk of injury because dehydration tightens muscles.  

“At the end of the day, an injured kid does us no good,” he said.

In addition, high school players don’t practice with pads right away. University Interscholastic League rules permit them to acclimate to the heat for a few days before they are worn.