Local football teams experience preseason media day

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Over a dozen local high school football teams participated in the 4QuartersOnline Media Day at the Pier Park Dave and Busters on Thursday afternoon.

The event allowed teams to take pictures and sit down in a press conference-type setting to answer questions about their upcoming seasons.

16 teams in total were in participation including Graceville, Holmes County, North Bay Haven, Vernon, Bay, Wewahitchka, Arnold, Marianna, Walton, Chipley, Mosley, Rutherford, South Walton, Freeport, and Bozeman.

Holmes County Head Coach Kevin Wombles and Wewahitchka Head Coach Adam Edwards said it’s an especially great experience for the small-town schools.

“For these guys to get to do this is special,” Wombles said. “It helps them as they’re going to go on, whether they do play at the next level or wherever they find themselves, they’re going to have to talk in front of people probably, they’re going to have to answer some questions.”

“I think it’s good for them,” Edwards said. “It’s a great experience. And I think that it’s something they can do moving forward in their lives, take little experiences like this, build on that in their personal lives.”

The high school football regular season begins in just four weeks on Friday, August 23, and Graceville Head Coach Richard Koonce said the anticipation to get back on the field is rapidly building.

“It’s the best part of the year,” Koonce said. “Everybody gets a chance to come out, show the excitement, show all the work they’ve been putting in. It’s just a great part of the year for America, just in general. We get to come out, come together, and show up at stadiums on Friday nights and just show off the talent that our community has. There’s nothing like it. We do a great job in Florida as far as showing pride in it. So I’m looking forward to getting my guys out and to be in that arena, to be in that room for one more year.”

News 13 will have an in-depth preview of all the local football teams with the annual 21 Teams in 21 Days series beginning on Monday, July 29.

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