Enumclaw High School football two-a-day practices began Wednesday.

The two practice times, in order to, “beat the heat,” according to head football coach Don Bartel, are at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Hornets will begin each of the two-a-day practices by doing a bit of light weightlifting and stretching.

The EHS squad will be engaging in two-a-daythrough Saturday and thereafter will be practicing once a day, Monday through Friday, heading into the school year.

The Hornet gridders’ initial contest of the 2009 campaign kicks off at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 against Wilson High in Tacoma. The site of the season’s lid lifter is uncertain, but will either be at Stadium High or Mount Tahoma. The second game of the season will be Sept. 12 at Franklin Pierce, in what should be the only regular-season weekend tilt of the year.

Bartel estimated that around 90 to 100 plus candidates will be strapping on the pads. Bartel’s assistant coaches this season will be former EHS football player Tyson Gamblin; Ted Carlson, who will work with the freshman squad; Patrick Thomas, wide receivers and defensive backs; Matt Gaynor, offensive line and assisting Dean Giammpapa with the defensive line; Steve Rondo, running backs; and Jason Patterson, linebackers, tight ends and defensive coordinator.