ST. LOUIS — The extreme heat means high school athletic departments have to make changes.
After three decades on the sidelines, De Smet head coach John Merritt has learned a thing or two.
“We know in Missouri ... these first couple of games are always going to be hot,” John Merritt said.
You won’t find De Smet on the practice field during the hot day despite having cold tubs on the sidelines.
“This year it’s hot, hot, hot,” Merritt said. “This is something a little different. We’re trying to keep everybody healthy, and everybody is safe, and still get a chance to play the game we love.”
While teams like Hazelwood Central have moved the practice to 5 a.m., DeSmet is doing the opposite. It will practice as late as 8 p.m. to try and beat the heat.
“We figure we’re going to play at 8 or 9 on Friday night,” Merritt said. “We ought to be able to be out there and try to practice in about the same weather, see what it’s like, and see if we can acclimate.”
Although there’s no debate on how hot it is off the field, it’s even hotter on the field for student-athletes.
5 On Your Side registered temperatures as high as 110 degrees using a heat gun on football training equipment. But temperatures escalated to 145 degrees on the turf.
"Down on that turf it's going to be hot down there,” Merritt said. “Teams that have the ability to get off their turf and get on grass this week are doing that. We're blessed to be able to do that. We've been up on grass all week, but those games Friday night are going to be on turf, and they're going to be hot."
The Missouri State High School Athletic Association requires water breaks at the midpoint of each quarter and for team trainers to take temperature readings before, during, and after games to monitor the conditions.
“Many teams have access to a physician if we need them on call to come in and do things if we’ve got an extreme situation,” Merritt said. “Hopefully it won’t come to that.”
In an effort to double down on safety De Smet and Kirkwood high schools have agreed to delay their Week 1 kickoff time until 8 p.m.