As the summer heat overtook the practice field early Monday afternoon in Paradise, Toi Glover took a snap and began running laterally before firing a pass ahead to a receiver.

“It feels good to pass again and to be at quarterback, my favorite position,” said the Paradise senior.

The practice with his Panther teammates was Glover’s first since his sophomore season. He tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder in the middle of that season trying make a tackle. Glover finished the season, helping the Panthers to a 10-1 record before having surgery.

After the operation to repair the shoulder, he missed the 2009 season, along with most of basketball season. He returned to play basketball and baseball, helping the Panthers to the second round of the playoffs.

Glover said the shoulder is getting stronger.

“I have most of my strength back,” he said. “It’ll come back.”

Paradise coach Danny Neighbors was impressed by Glover’s first day as he learns the offense.

“It’s all brand new,” Neighbors said. “We’re working a lot of footwork. Give us two weeks, and it’ll be totally different.”

The Panthers’ coach noticed a different vibe with his team, having Glover back on the field.

“His presence on the field is a big plus,” Neighbors said. “There’s a calmness.”

Glover admitted that there was a little rust to shake off Monday, but he expects each day to get easier.

“Today was the hardest day, getting back in the groove,” he said.

Friday will be the first time Glover takes a hit on the repaired shoulder.

“It’s on my mind, but I’m not going to worry about it,” Glover said. “I’m just going to trust in the drills that I’ve been doing.”