The players knew during the summer new head coach Ivory Hugee wasn't playing around.

He gave them each a list of rules. Break one, run a gasser. And gassers, which are timed 100-yard sprints, are little fun.

Anyone who violates a Hugee rule -- i.e. showing up late to class, failing to turn in homework, or sleeping in class -- receives late-afternoon running punishment.

"We're definitely running a lot more gassers after practice," senior quarterback Josh Edmunds said. "That's a daily thing."

Typically, the team will run six to eight gassers after practice, but the numbers vary if a player fails to abide by the rules or doesn't run within the set time.

"They're a great deterrent," Hugee said of his rules. "It's geared toward them trying to become better academically."

Hugee, Westside's defensive coordinator the past nine seasons, is starting his second stint as head coach after leading Hephzibah to an 8-52 record in six seasons.

In 1999, he joined Westside as a defensive assistant, joining head coach Gerald Barnes and longtime assistant coaches Carlton Thompson (defensive line) and Bill Sherman (offensive line).

This past off-season, Patriot football took a hit when Thompson died at age 74. Then, Barnes and Sherman retired. At 45, Hugee is the elder statesman.

"I don't think anybody knows how hard it's been for me. I can always hear 'Coach T' in the background saying, 'Hey boy, don't worry about me. Get on about your business,' " Hugee said. "I can hear that old scruffy voice."

Westside will name its field after Thompson on Friday night, when it plays host to Richmond Academy, one of nine local region opponents after Westside moved up to Class AAAA.

With the leap from Class AA, Hugee said conditioning (i.e. gassers) is a must. Senior lineman Brian Lamarr said being in better physical shape should help the Patriots avoid falling off in the second half like in 2007, when they blew a 14-6 halftime lead to Laney and missed the playoffs.

"We were leading at halftime, feeling good, We came back out and just ..." said Lamarr, his voice trailing off.

The offense returns seven starters, including Edmunds, running back Chris Hunter and tight end Eric Vivian (6-foot-6). Westside returns just three starters on defense, including senior linebacker Chris Larkin.

"We've got a lot of speed," Larkin said. "We've got a lot of guys who are coming in and who are stepping up for us. I think we'll be all right on defense."

Hugee wants to keep playing Westside's traditional ball-control style, which focuses on a ground game and playing good defense.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.