BRADENTON, Fla. — They call it the dog days of summer for a reason.

High school football players have a different name for it: brutal.

What You Need To Know

  • Getting in high school football practices can be difficult this time of year

  • If the heat index hits 92, teams must move indoors

  • The Zachary Martin Act went into effect July 1, 2020. It's named after the former Florida high school player who died after a summer workout

Playing football in the Sunshine State comes with a different level of conditions. Florida humidity is undefeated. So high school football teams have to get inventive to try and beat it.

That’s where an assistant coach like Doug Schofield comes into play. This former Marine Corps meteorologist has one of the most important jobs during practices. Without him, the Manatee Hurricanes can’t take the field. Schofield is responsible for setting up the WBGT thermometer, which measures heat index.

“As the index goes up, there’s less things we can do,” Schofield said.

This device became mandatory for all Florida high school football teams on July 1, 2020. That’s when the Zachary Martin Act went into effect, a law passed after Zach died following a summer workout with his Riverdale High School teammates in 2017. Now all high school teams must adhere to the wet bulb magic numbers.

“As it goes up, like I said, there’s less things we can do. 90, we’re down to helmets. 92, we’re done,” Schofield said.

The heat index indicator isn’t the only piece of equipment people will see at football practices. Teams are also equipped with cool down tubs in the event a player overheats during practice. There are a number of ways a player can get injured on the football field. Heat exhaustion is one of the most common. And in Florida, it’s also one of the most dangerous.

“If they feel hot, it’s OK to take a break and get some water,” certified athletic trainer Samyra Safraoui said. “Especially with this heat, you know, more frequent water breaks, mandated water breaks if you’re out here in this heat.”

The hyper focus on player safety is much different from when Schofield played on the Hurricanes 1989 state championship team. A lot has changed. And when it comes to making sure these players are safe, many would say those changes are for the better.

“The practices I think are a lot more focused,” Schofield said. “And they’re definitely a lot less physical than they used to be. It’s gotten very complex and we try to stay ahead of it.”