It was 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Two vultures circled high above the practice field, making wide,lazy circles as they floated on thermal updrafts. Below them,clouds of dust tumbled across the concrete-hard practice field asHazlehurst’s Indians began calisthenics under the scorchingsun.

I stood patiently in the shadow of a light pole. The groundtemperature was 102 degrees. There wasn’t a tree in sight but theshadow from the pole provided some relief. However, my socks weresoaked, saturated with sweat. The rest of my body was dripping,too.

My presence on this occasion was to make a photograph of VernonPerry, Hazlehurst’s new head football coach. My other assignmentwas to take a digital photo of Hazlehurst’s senior football playersfor The DAILY LEADER’s 31st Annual Gridiron Preview.

I also wanted to interview two of Hazlehurst’s outstandingseniors, all-state linebacker Jazzmen Guy and quarterback DamienAnderson. These two gifted athletes had been instrumental inleading Hazlehurst to the Class 3A state championship in 2005.

Perry, 52, a former SWAC All-American safety at Jackson State,played 10 years of NFL football with the New Orleans Saints and theHouston Oilers. Standing tall and lean, he looked capable ofsuiting up and playing some more football.

Perry’s arrival and the late departure of former Hazlehurstcoach Willie Brown had caused some turmoil in the football program.Brown was hired to coach Greenville Weston on Friday, July 28, justtwo days before the start of preseason practice.

According to Hazlehurst athletic director Gary Tabor, Brown hadannounced his intentions in early July. He was going to apply forthe Weston job, so Tabor was in the hunt for a replacement if Brownwas hired.

Directing Hazlehurst to a 13-0 record and its first-ever statetitle last year made Brown a hot commodity. Certainly, his name washigh on the wish list of many schools looking to fill a vacancy.The Weston job offered the opportunity to become athletic directorand head football coach when Mario Kirksey left for IndianolaGentry to become principal.

However, Brown didn’t inherit a powerhouse or anything close toa competitive football team in Class 4A. Weston has been a divisiondoormat for several years. The Eagles were 2-9 last season andopponents outscored them 212-6 in the last six games.

Obviously, Perry’s presence and the allure which goes along withwinning a state championship have brought bright-eyed butinexperienced students to the Hazlehurst practice field. Thosechampionship rings are impressive, too.

According to Tabor, over 70 players have been showing up forpractice, despite the intense heat. There only are 40 uniformsavailable.

In other words, many players are sharing helmets and shoulderpads until the new equipment can be purchased and delivered. Inathletic circles, this is known as a pleasant dilemma.

Certainly, there is strength in numbers when a coach is fieldinga football team. Currently, many of the newcomers are having topractice in shorts and T-shirts, plus provide their own shoes.

And the heat goes on.

Perry, a strict disciplinarian, does have an extra week toprepare his Indians for their season opener at Wilkinson County inWoodville. Many of his players will probably travel to a local gamenext Friday night when most schools kick off their campaigns. Theycan watch, compare and dream of making a state title repeat.

According to All-American Football Foundation director JimmieMcDowell, the organization will hold its 79th Banquet of Championsat the Jackson Hilton Hotel on Friday, Aug. 25. The event isdedicated to the late Mississippi congressman Sonny Montgomery, aformer Mississippi State University manager; and two Southern Missstandouts, the late Ben Garry and Richard (Bo) Dickinson.

Reservations for the $125 per plate dinner can be made bycalling 601-206-8877. The Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profitorganization. McDowell, a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall ofFame, is a Brookhaven native.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com