While most of Uniontown was asleep, Mustang Field at Laurel Highlands High School was lit up for a special “Midnight Madness” practice. Head coach Ian Edenfield, a 2018 graduate of the school, kicked off the first official football practice of the season at 12:00 a.m. on Monday.
Edenfield said the idea originated under former coach Zach Just and wanted to give the team early exposure to game‑like conditions. “We probably got out before any team in the WPIAL,” he noted, adding that fans gathered both inside the stands and outside the stadium to watch.
Coaching staff and player focus
The young coaching staff, many of whom played together at Laurel Highlands, was joined by veteran coach Cedric Lloyd to blend experience with fresh energy. Edenfield emphasized three priorities for the night: physicality, knowing each assignment, and effort.
After a week of heat acclimatization, the midnight session allowed coaches to see how players responded to contact under lights. “I saw a lot of good things and a lot of bad things tonight,” Edenfield said, noting that the bright lights, music and crowd noise were new challenges for many players.
Game‑like atmosphere
Cheerleaders performed, the concession stand opened, and the stadium buzzed with the sounds of a typical Friday night matchup. Edenfield hopes the experience will help players who lack varsity game time adjust to playing under lights.
Edenfield brings personal experience to the role, having starred for the Mustangs before playing at PennWest California and Oklahoma State. He was also an all‑state wrestler and played baseball for the school.
Upcoming schedule
The Mustangs will hold a scrimmage on Saturday at Highlands before opening the season at home on Aug. 28 against Mount Pleasant.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
