
An Ypsilanti Community High School football player smiles while on the sidelines during practice at the school on Monday, August 12, 2013.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
6 a.m. -- Check-in at Ypsilanti Community High School's first-ever football practice. Nearly 50 former Ypsilanti and Willow Run players are in attendance for the first day. "There can’t be Willow Run and Ypsi, it has to be one team one mind, and we have to act like one machine," said Ypsilanti senior Dauda Sylla.
8 a.m. -- After seeing the rain outside and seeing storms on the radar, Saline heads indoors to start its season. There, they take part in what coach Joe Palka calls a “glorified walk-through,” doing installations and formation recognition.
10:55 a.m. -- After suffering through a torrential downpour for the first two practices of the day, head coach Rufus Pipkins dismisses the Ypsilanti players from the field to the weight room.

Saline's Zach Owings intercepts a pass during Monday's practice.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
1:16 p.m. -- It’s still pouring rain, but there’s no thunder or lightning, so the Hornets are on the field doing 11-on-11 drills. And the rain doesn’t stop Hornets corner Zach Owings from notching a pick and drawing big applause from his teammates and coaches.
1:57 p.m -- The weather has cleared up, and most Saline players have shed their wet shirts for the series of 100-yard runs to finish up practice. For the last few, players start the dash by yelling “state champs.”
4:55 p.m. -- At Huron’s Riverbank Stadium, players are split into position groups and working on fundamentals. New coach Craig Jobe is overseeing the linemen and running backs, while the receivers work on route running near the middle of the field.
4:56 p.m. -- At Hollway Field at Pioneer High School, Pioneer breaks for water. After a quick drink, linemen go with head coach Jari Brown for technique drills while skill position players compete in 7-on-7 drills.

A Pioneer football player enjoys a drink during a brief break at practice Monday, August 12.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
5:35 p.m. -- Bertoia's final pass of the late afternoon practice bounces off the hands of his receiver and into those of a defender. Shortly after the interception, players exit the field for a brief break and are set to return for a 6:45-9 p.m. session.
5:40 p.m.-- After finishing up running some of their newly installed plays, players listen to a speech from Jobe before taking a quick break. He then goes over a few things with his coaches. They started their day at 3 p.m., and aren’t scheduled to finish until 8. “You’re always excited to get going,” Jobe said.
-- Kyle Austin contributed to this article.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.