Extreme heat causes TN high school football teams to alter practices

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - With extreme heat impacting the region, it has forced high school football teams to change their practice routines.

At James Lawson High School, they have spent the last few days practicing inside their gym.

"Our biggest job is to keep these young men safe, right, so we're trying to make them the best men they can be, " head football coach Brian Lilly said.

Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) requires schools to conduct temperature readings to determine if practice can be held outdoors.

The temperature determines the amount breaks needed, duration of practice and what equipment can be worn.

Due to the heat wave, schools through out the state have opted to practice earlier or later.

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Despite the last minute changes, players like Jacob Edwards says the precautions put him at ease.

"The trainer, he's here to keep us safe and so he's gonna be the one monitoring the heat index and all that," Edwards said. "We can't do anything about it. If we're inside, we're inside. If we're outside, we're outside."

The start of fall camp for James Lawson comes days after a West Tennessee high school football player died as a result of a heat stroke.

Coach Lilly says it underscores the importance of being safe while on the field this season.

"These are somebody children," he said. "I think the biggest thing is for us we're doing whatever we can, our due diligence, to keep people as safe as they possibly can be."