DeSoto Thunderbirds hit the field

Temperatures are hovering around the triple-digit figures – perfect weather conditions for football right?
Well, it is if you are a football nut or a youngster that simply loves the game.
Two-a-day practice sessions began Monday for the DeSoto Thunderbirds. The youngsters work out from 6 to 8 a.m. each morning and from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evenings. At this stage of the season, the squad appears to be between 20 and 25 strong.
The T-Birds will host a jamboree this Friday night (Aug. 10) at Sam Howe Field. DeSoto is tentatively scheduled to scrimmage against Lee Academy (Marianna) at 6:25 p.m. and West Christian Academy around 9:05. The jamboree is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
Coach Bill Beck's young charges are coming off a 6-5 2011 campaign, 4-2 in conference play. A year ago, the T-Bird roster was filled primarily with freshmen and sophomores.
The team begins play for real on Friday, Aug. 17 when they travel to Lexington, Miss. to take on Central Holmes.