Nothing like tug of war to bring people together. Newtown High School’s football players, on Fridays during the summer, have capped off each week of intense workouts and conditioning with fun-filled but grueling exercises such as tug of war, relay races that include human wheelbarrow competitions, agility/footwork stations, medicine ball tossing, and prowler pushing.

Broken into a small handful of groups each includes a variety of players from different positions and varying levels in the program picked through a player-run draft.

“It’s a good way to bridge the varsity and JV teams to the freshmen,” Newtown Coach Dan Farina said.

And a great way to cap off a busy week heavy on conditioning.

“After having a tough week it’s good to have something fun to do on Friday. It still pushes you but it’s a fun thing,” NHS football captain Jayden Taylor said.

There was plenty of enjoyment as the athletes tested their skills in some unique events. At the same time their agility, strength, speed, and stamina were put to the test.

The players cheer each other on and support not only their only group/temporary teammates but their fellow Nighthawks they are going against during these challenges. Each race was capped off by participants playing the role of quarterback and putting their accuracy to the test with a little wiggle room as teammate-turned receivers stood with a trash can to catch the ball.

“All of the events are to bring them together and get the competitive fire and keep it burning,” said Connor Hughes, special teams/linebackers coach. “It’s a great team bonding thing.”

The Nighthawks, who graduated 23 players including most of their starting defense in spring, are gearing up for a bit of a new-look team this fall as the Hawks look to still maintain their usual level of winning success and equal or surpass last year’s run to the state playoff semifinals.

“They’re all working extremely hard. With us graduating so many seniors I think we’re going to really impress people with just how prepared we are to take the next step,” Wide Receivers Coach Hank Fatigate said.

Throughout the offseason coaches look to instill hard work and a competitive edge in their players to make them the best athletes they can be on game day once the regular slate rolls around. The hope is that the weight lifting, running, agility work, and team bonding pay off and that the players succeed under the lights throughout the fall.

“They love coming out and competing, especially on the last day,” said Linebackers Coach Kieran Glynn, referring to the August 2 session that wrapped up a several-week stretch of hot-weather training at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Following a week off the football players will get back at it in summer practices. Preseason scrimmages just around the corner, in late August. The regular season kicks off with a Saturday, September 14, visit to Stamford at 1 pm — a rare daytime game. Newtown has its first home contest when New Fairfield visits Friday, September 20 at 7 pm. The schedule features, in addition to Stamford, crossover tilts with Southington and familiar foe Shelton, whom Newtown defeated in last year’s state playoff quarterfinals. South-West Conference foes on the schedule, in addition to New Fairfield, are New Milford, Pomperaug, Stratford, Bunnell of Stratford, Joel Barlow of Redding, and Masuk of Monroe.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.