SPLENDORA — As the sun crept over the horizon on the southeast side of Wildcat Stadium on Monday morning, familiar early-August sounds filled the air.

Whistle, clap. Whistle, clap. Whistle, clap.

Lines of Splendora football players went through warm-ups with some added enthusiasm as practice No. 1 officially commenced. This was the day they had all been waiting for. Just a couple of short weeks ago, it was a day shrouded with uncertainty.

Splendora is the only Class 4A school in Montgomery County and, therefore, was the only school allowed to begin fall sports practices this week.

The University Interscholastic League announced July 21 that schools in Class 4A and smaller would follow the original timeline for starting practices and interscholastic competition. Classes 5A and 6A, meanwhile, were delayed until Sept. 7 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAPPS and the SPC, the organizations that govern Texas private school activities, have also delayed athletics until after Labor Day.

“Being able to practice and start on time, at this point in our lives, is a miracle,” senior receiver Cole Goodrum said. “I’m happy to be able to play my senior year. I can’t wait to get on the field with my guys, and I can’t wait to show everybody what we have and prove everybody wrong.”

Splendora football coach and athletic director Marcus Schulz, who is entering his seventh season at the helm, said he woke up at 4 a.m. to start preparing for the day. His coaches and players were thrilled to get back on the field together following an offseason that was anything but normal.

“It’s probably more exciting than years past because we’ve been out for so long,” said Schulz, donning a custom Splendora face covering. “Getting to see these guys excited about being here and excited about being together and being a family, as a coaching staff, it’s exciting, and as a community, it’s exciting. We’ve got great numbers today, and I think as we get going, more and more numbers will come. I’m excited about this year, and I know these guys are, too.”

Several of the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines enacted by the UIL when summer strength and conditioning began in June remain relevant as the fall sports season gets underway. Self-screening for symptoms by athletes and coaches and the use of face coverings when not actively participating in training are priorities. Basic hygiene practices, such as regular hand-washing and not sharing food or drinks, are also highly encouraged.

There are also guidelines for when athletic competitions are held. Among those are screening of workers, including staff and officials, distanced spectator areas, frequent disinfecting of used areas and altered pregame and postgame gestures.

On another part of the campus, the Splendora volleyball team was blaring music while getting some work done in the weight room. The Ladycats are running two-a-day practices this week and were scheduled to get on the court later in the afternoon session.

Third-year coach DaVette McCall, who guided the program on a historic run to the regional semifinals last season, said her players have been working diligently throughout the pandemic and returned on Monday with plenty of motivation.

“We’re blessed,” she said. “Everybody is just positive and excited to be here. We’re just grateful that we could start on time.”

At smaller schools like Splendora, which had an enrollment number of 1,186 before the latest UIL realignment in February, there are often higher percentages of athletes who play multiple sports. Several of those athletes had their spring seasons cut short due to the virus and were nervous as the summer wore on and state-wide case numbers surged. Those concerns were quelled, however, when the UIL levied its decision.

“I was scared at the beginning when all this started because we didn’t know if we were going to have football season or if we were going to have anything for our senior year,” said Splendora quarterback Jagger Kennedy, who also plays basketball and baseball. “Coming into the locker room and seeing all the guys dressed and ready to get out on the field, it got me excited.”

Despite beginning their seasons on time, the coaches at Splendora and other small schools around the state are making adjustments. Scheduling was the immediate concern with volleyball tournaments barred for this season and non-district football games against schools whose seasons are delayed being wiped out. Schulz and McCall have successfully navigated those obstacles, however, and are ready to embark on their new campaigns.

Their athletes are more than ready, too.

“I feel like we’re lucky because a lot of other schools don’t get to do this right now,” senior volleyball player Ashton Schulz said. “It’s great to be out here and finally be able to see the rest of our teammates. We have a big season ahead of us, I feel like.”

The Splendora volleyball team opens its season with a road trip to Lumberton next Monday. The Ladycats will host Coldspring for their home opener the following day. The football team, meanwhile, will kick off the season Aug. 28 against Tyler Chapel Hill.

Schools in Classes 5A and 6A, which include the high schools of Conroe ISD, Montgomery ISD, Willis ISD, Magnolia ISD and New Caney ISD, can start volleyball and football practices Sept. 7. The regular seasons for those sports can begin on Sept. 14 and 24, respectively.