by JASON GORDON

The first day of full pads practice is always one of the highlights of two-a-day workouts, but Hays coaches have scheduled something that is sure to be more fun for Rebel players on Saturday.

For the first time since last season ended, the noise associated with full-contact drills resonated from Hays football practice last Friday.

On Saturday morning, Hays will square off against former district foe Del Valle, which was moved up to Class 5A. The varsity scrimmage is scheduled to start at Del Valle at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s a whole new level with pads on,” Hays center Alex Rocco said. “It’s real football time.”

After two weeks of only scrimmaging against their teammates, the Rebels are certainly looking forward to Saturday’s challenge, especially since Del Valle handed Hays its only loss in two seasons in District 17-4A play last fall. The Rebels had to watch as the Cardinals celebrated their first district title in 30 years, a feat that kept Hays from repeating as 17-4A champs.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting some kind of revenge on them,” Rocco said. “I’m going to look at it more as a real game than a scrimmage.”

Hays tight end Billy Tabor agreed Saturday’s contest against Del Valle will have extra meaning.

“It will definitely be more than a scrimmage,” Tabor said. “We still have a bad taste left over from last year’s game. It’s a game we feel we should have won. We’re going to go as hard as we can on Saturday.”

Hays head coach Bob Shelton said he’s pleased with the progress his team has made heading into its first scrimmage of the season.

“I think we are ready to compete against another team,” Shelton said. “Our guys have been working hard every day so far, and everybody’s looked pretty good. We’re looking forward to seeing what they can do against Del Valle. We want to give everybody playing time and get a good look at everyone on film.”

Hays quarterback Caleb Kimbro said the intensity level has definitely picked up around Rebel practice since Friday.

“I think it’s good for everybody when we’re going full speed with pads on,” Kimbro said. “The lineman can get on their blocks, and it’s the only real way to come close to what we’re going to see in the fall.”

Kimbro and Mason Cervenka have been splitting equal repetitions with the first team at quarterback this summer, and that will continue on Saturday. Whoever’s not playing quarterback during a series has been playing slot receiver.

“I think the competition is making us both better mentally and physically,” Cervenka said. “You have to go 100 percent all the time because you know you’re always being evaluated.”

Shelton said he’s seen good things from both of his potential starting quarterbacks.

“Right now, I see both of them playing for us,” Shelton said. “We might make a decision one way or the other if we determine one player is better, but right now they are both playing really well.”

After scrimmaging at Del Valle on Saturday, the Rebels will host Temple for their final scrimmage of the preseason at Shelton Stadium on Aug. 21, beginning at 9 a.m.

Hays opens the regular season on Aug. 27 against Akins at Burger Stadium, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Rebels start District 27-4A action Sept. 24, when they will be considered the home team at Shelton Stadium against Hays CISD rival Lehman.