As anticipation and excitement for this fall's opening kickoff build, so to do the muscles and endurance levels of Newtown High School's football players.

Throughout the summer, members of the Nighthawks have been working out under the direction of the coaching staff in the annual summer training program, on the fields, and in the gymnasium and weight room at NHS.

"The kids are working hard, attendance has been great. A lot of kids are getting bigger, faster, stronger," defensive coordinator Bob Pattison said as athletes went station to station for a variety of strength-building drills in the gym during one of the sessions.

Since mid-June, and continuing up until preseason practice officially starts in mid-August, the student-athletes have been training four days a week, two hours each morning - and many then have gone off and done their own weight-lifting, cardio training, Pattison notes.

"We feel part of our success in the fall is based on what we do in the offseason," Pattison said.

The Nighthawks have regularly been the top, or among the best, team(s) in the South-West Conference; they also won a state playoff contest this past fall.

"It's a physical game. The stronger guy, the faster guy is usually the guy who wins," NHS Head Coach Steve George says. "We've got a group of kids that works hard."

There's more to the grueling workouts than getting a competitive edge. As George points out, without this preparation, muscles may break down and athletes are more susceptible to injury during the regular campaign.

That said, precautions are taken during the summer to ensure the athletes are able to handle this strength building, including with the use of yoga, taught by Aline Marie.

Medicine balls and balance balls are both used for strength and balance purposes, a variety of lifts - using different weights - are performed to work multiple muscles, and speed work is included in the training process. Drills include stutter-stepping and other agility-related activities, including those that work on explosiveness. End-of-week competitions are held to add an element of fun (and intrateam bragging rights).

The Nighthawks lost about half of their starters/regulars on both offense and defense - including two-way players - to graduation; this year's group includes the usual combination of returning starters, varsity hopefuls, and newcomers.

"We should be competitive in the league," Pattison anticipates.

The Nighthawks are scheduled to begin the season on Friday, September 9, when New Fairfield visits Blue & Gold Stadium for a 7 pm kickoff. Newtown's other home games are September 23 when Joel Barlow of Redding visits, October 28 against Pomperaug of Southbury, November 11 against Brookfield, and November 23 when the Hawks take on Masuk of Monroe.

All home games are slated to begin under the lights at 7 pm.