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Sports teams observe a mandatory dead week
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Tiger sports teams took part in a required "dead week" last week. The period runs from June 30 through July 6. Beginning four summers ago, the Georgia High School Association executive committee approved the "dead week" by request of the GHSA coaches.

Each year the "dead week" will run from the Sunday through the Saturday in which the Fourth of July falls, according to rules.

The GHSA states that during this time no school teams may conduct conditioning drills, practices, or be involved in competitions on or off the school's campus.

This means that weight training, running drills, passing league games in football, school-based summer league games in baseball, as well as team camps in a variety of sports may not occur during this week.

With the final countdown for high school football teams quickly approaching most coaches are delighted with the week off.

Dawson County head coach Jeff Lee said, "The "Dead Period" is good for our players to take a break from the grind of weights, conditioning and passing games. After the break we will be gearing up for the start of practice at the end of the month."

The first day of conditioning for football may begin on July 25.

The Tigers will begin their regular season on Aug. 23 with a Region 7-AAA game at East Hall.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

Lee and his staff will turn their attention on getting his players used to the hot and humid days of August.

"We have to get our kids in top physical condition. Our coaching staff does a great job of teaching our players about hydration and taking care of their bodies. This will be our major focus in preparation of full pads in August," he said.

The earliest date for softball, cheerleading and cross country to practice is Aug. 1. Also on August 1 football may begin practice in pads.

Competitions may begin for softball on Aug. 9, cheerleading on Aug. 10 and cross country on Aug. 12.