Belleville — With the countdown to Friday night lights ticking, Belleville wasted no time, continuing its tradition of a midnight practice to kick off the season.

From the moment the clock struck 12 a.m. Monday, Belleville held its third straight midnight practice — a tradition started by third-year head coach Calvin Norman — marking the official Aug. 11 opening date for Michigan High School Athletic Association football teams.

Norman thought of implementing a late-night practice when he was hired on as head coach in 2023, but the idea could be credited to southern programs, which work at night to counter high temperatures during the day.

“It’s cooler, you know,” Norman said. “During the day, it’s a lot hotter. The history behind it was down south in like Texas, they have these type

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