We are looking forward to another great season of Hornet Football starting in August! We have  some information that will help get the season started well.

August 20th- The first day of school and the first day of practice. We need all players to have a completed AISD physical packet, including the online parent and student signatures. All information can be found in the Physical Packet which can be picked up in the school front office or accessed online at  https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms

All players will need to provide their own football cleats, as well as t-shirt and shorts. Each player will complete 4 days of non-contact heat acclimation practices, followed by 7 contact practices in pads for a total of 11 practices before they are allowed to participate in a game per UIL. We have 14 practice days before our first game, so having the physical completed and being at practice everyday when school starts is really important.

Players who come back to school having participated in physical activity on a regular basis over the summer typically have a more positive experience during the early part of the season. Each AISD high school holds a strength and conditioning camp and many of these camps are open to 7th and 8th graders as well. We recommend contacting your nearest high school and having your child participate in these camps. Of course any and all outdoor activities will be helpful in having your child ready for the heat of August practices.

Parent support is key to having a positive season. All the work done at home to have student athletes well rested, performing well in all classes, eating a nutritious diet, hydrated properly is greatly appreciated. We also know that it is a considerable time commitment to travel for practice pickups, as well as travel to and from games. The coaches and players appreciate your efforts to be at the games. In addition to these efforts, we do need parent support in providing pre-game meals as well as any post season celebration. There will be a parent meeting the second week of school to discuss and plan these efforts.

If you have any general football questions, or specific to 7th grade football please contact Coach Gardner at (512) 414-2706 or justin.gardner@austinisd.org. If you have any questions specific to 8th grade football contact Coach Rydolph at (512) 814-1154 or kennard.rydolph@austinisd.org.