Grafton High School kicks off season with midnight football practice

GRAFTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Football season is approaching, and one hometown high school is hitting the gridiron as soon as possible.

At midnight Tuesday, Aug. 1, the Grafton High School football team will have their first practice.

It has become a tradition, but it is also the earliest they can start every year. WIAA rules say high school football teams are able to start practicing Aug. 1, so Grafton makes sure they hit the ground running.

"This start, Aug. 1, it's football day in Wisconsin. Everyone can start, and everyone gets going, so it's pretty special," Grafton High School Head Football Coach Jim Norris said.

The team are not the only people out in the field in the middle of the night their families are also there to celebrate the start of the season by grilling out and watching them practice until 1 a.m.

"There's just a great energy, everybody, every practice comes wanting to play," Grafton High School football player Garrett Bonk said.

The team has been holding midnight practice since 2018.