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It was Wednesday and it wasn’t dark yet, but from the enthusiasm generated from those in attendance, the high school football season felt just around the corner.

The Washington Pam Pack wrapped up 10 days of non-contact spring football practice with a series of skills competitions designed to jumpstart the coming season.

The evening included timed 40-yard dashes, bench presses, a water balloon toss, a three-legged race, a sled push relay and obstacle course and a tug of war at end with five groups of eight players competing.

“We did this every year I was at (D.H.) Conley and it worked well from a team bonding standpoint,” coach Matt Taylor said. “We didn’t have spring ball here last year because WHS was in a coaching transition, but I think we got a lot out of it this spring.”

Each team earned points for winning each event and the same individuals couldn’t compete in every event. The point was to let the players organize it themselves and figure out a winning strategy.

“It was really fun and I think everybody got a lot out of it,” rising senior linebacker Gabe Davis, who captained the winning team, said. “Spring practice helps build a foundation for the fall and guys are more together when practice starts in August.”

Until then, the Pack will be busy with summer weight-training and 7 on 7 drills that start in mid-June.

“Our guys haven’t competed against anybody for a while now and it gets them back into that mode in a fun way,” Taylor, whose first team went 3-7, said. I’ll think they will be a tighter-knit group on Friday nights because of this which will hopefully lead to better results on the field.”

Naeem Andrews had the fastest 40-yard dash time among the linemen, while Jamel Cory led the skill positions with a 4.5. Cooper Johnson had the top bench press among the lineman, while Davis was best among the skill positions.

Others on the winning Davis team included Johnson, Brenen Warren, Jose Romero, Joseph Richard and Joseph Casterline, who dressed as ninja’s in all black, masks included, for the event.