CARLETON – Football coaches are famous for losing sleep over the game they love.
They fret about injuries, the next opponent, their players doing the right thing and many other things.
There is one day Derek Anderson doesn’t mind losing sleep.
Advertisement
The second-year head coach has started a new tradition at Airport. As they did last fall, the Jets opened practice at the earliest possible moment allowed by Michigan High School Athletic Association rules.
2025 High School Football Schedules: Bedford football makes history by hosting foe from Massachusetts
Airport took the field at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11.
“It’s a great way to start the season,” Anderson said. “We’re going to be doing this as long as I am coaching. Some of these guys will not be playing when their four years (of high school) are up. I want to give them as much of a football experience as I can.
Airport senior Aidyn Stahr stretches before the first football practice of the season which began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
“This is something they will still be talking about when they get into their upper 20s.”
Advertisement
The midnight practice is an experience the players seem to enjoy.
“This is a new tradition,” said senior quarterback Dillon Byrd. “It’s really cool.”
“I love it,” added senior receiver-defensive back Aidyn Stahr. “It’s so awesome. There is a lot of energy.”
“It’s a chance to bond and start the season right,” said defensive back Ryan Hildebrand.
In addition to the energy and bonding created by the unique practice time, Airport also was able to beat the heat.
It was about 80 degrees when the workout began and temperatures dropped as the workout progressed. The thermometer was forecast to climb near 90 degrees later in the day.
Advertisement
“There’s still no air moving anywhere, but the temperatures are not as bad,” Anderson said. That allows everyone to focus a little more.”
Airport football players run a rugby-style tackling drill during the practice of the season which began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
Airport had an up and down first season under Anderson, who returned as the head coach of his alma mater with a 4-5 record. The Jets started with four straight losses, won four in a row, then dropped their finale.
“We’re very young and inexperienced,” Anderson said of the 2025 squad, which features five returning starters on offense and three on defense. “We will rely on a lot of juniors. We definitely are more experienced on the offensive side.”
Byrd threw for 1,005 yards last fall with Stahr hauling in 27 passes for 345 yards.
Advertisement
“This year we will be a lot better,” Byrd said. “We have a lot of threats and skills. We will be a problem for people.”
Airport’s football team stretches before the first practice of the season which began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
“We’ll be dangerous,” Stahr added. “A lot of guys have put in a lot of work.”
Stahr and Hildebrand, both defensive backs, are two of the three returning starters on defense.
“We have talent here and a lot of seniors who are hungry,” Hildebrand said.
AIRPORT SCHEDULE
Aug. 28: at Tecumseh, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5: at Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: RIVERVIEW, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19: at Flat Rock, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: at SMCC, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: GROSSE ILE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at New Boston Huron, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: MILAN, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24: AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High School Football training camps: Airport gets off to early start
