By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

Following a coaching change for a second consecutive year, the Hays High Indians got their first day of football practice completed on Monday.  Long time Oakley coach Randall Rath, took the Hays job after one year in Cimarron.   Rath opened his tenure with two practices on Monday with 60 kids reporting for practice.

Coach Randall Rath on his first practice

Rath has plenty to replace after most of last year’s starters were seniors or didn’t return this season.  But first and foremost he has to get kids acclimated to the way a new coach wants his practices to run, along with installing his offensive and defensive strategies.  To some extent the first week of practice is feeling out what the athletes need from the coach.  “You can see it in their eyes when I came this summer.  ‘Are you going to be here?’  You can tell that is the question their asking.  They’ve bought in and I couldn’t be any happier than what they’ve done.”

Rath’s expectations are simple through this first week of practice.  Be better today than you were yesterday.

Rath and the Indians will take the field for the first time this season on September 4th.  They will open the season at home versus Olathe Northwest.