For anyone who has played football before, August is a rite of passage for players who are ready to show coaches their athletic skills. It’s also hot, and much of the practice is focused on getting in shape for the upcoming season. For Claremont High School varsity football, that starts with a home game on August 24. So for all you high school football players out there, we wish you luck as you’re running wind sprints (NFL players call them “gassers”) in the the 95 degree heat. It really is hard work. CHS quarterback Paul Manus works on running plays with the backfield Thursday evening. He is projected to be the starting quarterback this season. See our special photo gallery from the first week of practice. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff