It’s not even 6 a.m. yet. Most of Englewood is still asleep, but out on the Lemon Bay High School football field, the lights are on and the players are already grinding through drills. If you’re wondering where your kids are, and they play for Lemon Bay, they’re out there, helmets on, feet pounding the turf, all before the sun even thinks about coming up.
Usually, the team starts at 5:45 a.m. That means lineups, sprints, and calisthenics before a lot of kids have even hit snooze on their alarms. But it’s Thursday morning, September 17, 2026, and they actually “slept in” and didn’t start until 6:30 a.m.
Still, no one’s late. The coaches don’t have to chase them down. That’s just how things are with this program; discipline isn’t optional, it’s automatic.
Coach Jason Mensing doesn’t waste time. As soon as he steps onto the field, the players huddle up and are ready. When asked what it’s like to run practices at the crack of dawn, he doesn’t sugarcoat it. “We switched to mornings over a year ago. We actually start at 6 a.m. with warm-ups from 5:50,” he says. “We moved practice before school for health and safety. We were dealing with so much lightning and heat in the afternoons that we’d go entire weeks stuck inside. Then, on game nights, the kids struggled to handle the weather. Morning practices let us get outside almost every day, and the temperature’s a lot like it’ll be at kickoff.”
And it’s paid off. “I’m thrilled with how it’s gone,” Mensing says. “The guys prefer getting the work done early, and it’s made a huge difference in our team’s discipline and academic performance. We’ve seen fewer discipline issues at school, too.”
Right now, Lemon Bay’s off to a solid start: 3-2 with both losses coming against some of the toughest teams in the area. The roster is young; they’re starting six sophomores, ten juniors, and even a freshman. But with this kind of work ethic, Mensing believes they’ll keep getting better and have a real shot at the playoffs.
Participation is higher than it’s ever been, and the standards haven’t dropped. That’s why the staff is excited not just for this season, but for the whole direction of the program. These early mornings aren’t just about football; they’re building something bigger.
Lemon Bay High School’s mission? Simple. They push students, teachers, and parents to come together as learners, striving for excellence in every area. Their beliefs are clear: every student can learn, each one brings unique value, and the school’s primary job is to help them do it. They rely on high expectations, teamwork, and a commitment that lasts beyond graduation.
There’s a strong set of values, too: empowerment, community, resilience, innovation, safety, and more. This isn’t just a place to play football; it’s a school determined to help kids grow.
Walking on the field with the players in the dark, a few players turned to this reporter and said, “Good morning, ma’am.” These players are not just talented athletes; they’re polite, and all before 6:30 a.m.
Back on the field, there’s a chant the players do before getting to work: “You for me! Enjoy your struggle! I trust you! Work!” It’s loud, it’s real, and it speaks volumes.
Ryan LaVallee, the Athletic Director for the Lemon Bay Manta Rays, watches it all with clear pride. He spoke with the REVIEW and confirmed Coach Mensing’s message regarding why they moved to morning practices.
“When you practice in the afternoon down here, you’re constantly dodging lightning and high temperatures. We were losing one or two practices a week. Now? In almost two years, we’ve only missed a day and a half.”
What about the early alarms? Did parents complain? “Honestly, there was a little grumbling at first,” LaVallee explains. “The kids weren’t thrilled about getting up early. But now, they’re used to it; they actually like it. Plus, it means they get to school on time and have more free time after classes.”
This is only the second year of morning practices, but everyone’s buying in. The players are all here, before the coaches, ready to go.
How’s the season shaping up? LaVallee is optimistic. “We’re 3-2. Lost to a couple of really strong teams, but that’s a good test for us. We have a lot of good games left, and we feel good about our chances.”
With Lemon Bay now in the new SSAA for football, the playoff format’s changed, but everyone’s eager to see where they’ll land.
The community spirit here is alive. JV just played at Sarasota Christian, and varsity is up against DeSoto County next. “Next week’s big: JV’s away, but varsity’s playing at home Friday night. Everyone should come out. It’ll be a great game. And Homecoming’s on the horizon, along with the Hall of Fame game. So yeah, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
At Lemon Bay, football is more than just wins and losses. It’s 5:45 a.m. wake-up calls, discipline, grit, teamwork, and building a program and a school that everyone can be proud of.
At the end of each month, the Lemon Bay High School Athletic Department announces the Female and Male Athlete of the Month along with the Good Sportsmanship Award. Here are the August recipients.
Click here for more information about the Lemon Bay High School Athletic Department.
