CINCINNATI — The triple-digit heat index is not stopping athletes from hitting the field.
High school players just started practicing again for the upcoming season, but they're playing with caution in this heat.
The heat is not enough reason for Jay-quan Bostic to back down.
“Even if it’s 200, I’m still gonna be out here,” said Bostic.
He’s in his last year playing football at Taft High School in Cincinnati. He just signed to a West Virginia college team, and he said he has to keep his game up.
"Tired, but it’s motivation, can’t wait for the season to be here,” said Bostic.
That’s part of what he says is keeping him going along with dozens of other athletes who are trying to push through the hot weather.
But close to the players is Samantha Kluener, the head athletic trainer.
"It’s getting a little bit close to where we might have to practice inside,” said Kluener.
She’s monitoring a device that shows the heat index.
“Usually when it hits 104, it’s not safe for the athletes,” said Kluener.
She’s also checking for signs of heat exhaustion.
“Hunched over, breathless, I have some ones that throw up," said Kluener. "I’m watching that exactly as we’re speaking."
That’s why she said they use cool towels and take more water breaks when it’s hot.
About halfway through Wednesday's practice, the field was empty. The heat index temperature hit 106 degrees plus on the field. That’s two degrees passed their safe cut-off point for the players.
"It’s tough, but we don’t want to risk anybody’s health from it being too hot and we got plenty of days to prepare for our first week,” said head coach Tyler Williams.
Williams said they have a backup plan for hot days.
“When it’s too hot, we either substitute that for an hour or two of film, weight lift, or go inside the gym,” said Williams.
The dedicated players said they have a plan too, to come back at night when it's cooler and keep practicing to beat the heat.
“Can’t stop, won’t never stop,” said Bostic.
Taft high school follows heat safety guidelines set by OHSAA, that are put in place for all high school schools.
Other rules they have to follow in the heat are to have towels with ice for cooling of athletes as needed and helmets and other equipment should be removed during practices in the heat.