TAFT, Texas — The Taft High School football team is back on the practice field after shutting down their program for two weeks after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
The Greyhounds are playing catch up after missing 10 days of practice.
And they are doing all they can to make up for that lost time.
"You know, we talk to the kids about showing up every day on time and giving their best effort every day and giving us everything they got while they are here with us,” Taft coach J.R. Castellano said. “And let everything fall where it may after that.”
Returning to the field with his teammates has been welcome for Taft running back Jeremiah Sanchez.
“I mean I'm hoping they were working out at home and stuff and I have been working during those times we were off,” Sanchez said.
The transition had its rocky moments, but Taft quarterback Sean Suarez says the Greyhounds finally are rounding into form.
“It was hard at first but we came back and are working hard,” Suarez said. “Everybody getting after it as much as we can. Pretty much doing what we can to win this season."
And winning starts right now because game week finally has arrived. The Greyhounds host Woodsboro Friday night in their season opener.
So, there is a lot of anticipation for some normalcy.
"Honestly I didn't think we were going to have a season,” Sanchez said. “But when coach texted all of us, I was really happy because it's my senior year and I was just hoping it wasn't going to get stripped away from us my last year.”
Getting back with his team has helped foster that feeling for Castellano and the Greyhounds said.
"These kids love football and the community loves football here,” Castellano said. “And just to get their minds off of COVID for a little while we are really excited to be playing here in Taft Friday night,”
It will also be a big night for all teams who will officially kick off what will certainly be a season to remember.
