Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank High School football players gather at the door with Coach Rick Slade (left) before being allowed entry for equipment pass-out day Aug. 4.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank football players line up in the weight room to enter an equipment area, as excitement builds on the first day of practice.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank’s Brandon Renteria shows off his shoulder pads, helmet and other assorted equipment, passed out before the first practice that night.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Jaedyn Thompson shows off his shoes Aug. 4, the first day high school football teams could practice as per UIL rules.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank’s Connor Santoro waits in the hallway with his shoulder pads as he continues the equipment pass-out odyssey Aug. 4.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank High School assistant football coach Caleb Smith (from left) fits out Cayson Schrier with his shoulder pads Aug. 4.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank High School football player Nicholas Golman has his hands full as he gets ready for the first practice the night of Aug. 4.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank High School football player Jesse Noegel admires his freshly issued Panther helmet in the locker room.