Three coaches released, Dale County High football players return to practice

Three of four Dale County High School coaches have been released from local hospitals after a wreck that claimed the life of Dale County High School Head Coach Todd Horne.
And after one of the schools’ hardest nights in its history, officials said the football team agreed to go back to weightlifting and drills today to prepare for the upcoming football season.
The team’s first game is set for Aug. 29.
County schools assistant superintendent Lamar Brooks said he believed the players made the decision last night to go back to practice this morning.
Pastors were on hand at the school on Wednesday for anyone who needed counseling.
“I’m not sure who organized it, but I think it was just for them to meet up and just be together,“ Brooks said. “This is a hard, hard time.“
School officials said the school’s band also agreed to participate in drills today, although officials were not sure if the band would hit the field Horne successfully molded the team on for two years.
Horne died Tuesday evening from injuries he sustained in a wreck at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Camilla Avenue in Ozark on Tuesday.
Authorities said a vehicle that was driven by a 16-year boy from Ariton may have failed to yield while crossing the intersection.
Brooks said head basketball coach Chad McKnight remained in stable condition at Flowers on Wednesday morning.
The three coaches who were released with minor injuries were Phillip Locke, Matt Phillips and Drew Danner.