|
Hometown News Staff
Photo By Jed Blackwell
Chesnee offensive linemen concentrate on leverage and balance as they work their way through the chute last Friday morning. The offensive line is expected to be a strong point for the Eagles this season.
The first day of football practice for local teams was last Friday, and Hometown News was on the scene for several area practices. Here’s a look at how the first day went at a handful of local schools.
Football teams may not be able to have contract drills for the first three days of practice, but that doesn’t prevent Byrnes coach Chris Miller from making the most of that time.
“Those first three days are always important,” Miller said. “You get ready for the first day of practice by getting your offense put in and working on your defensive coverages. If you do all of those things, the first day of contact takes care of itself.”
Between 100-110 players showed up for Monday’s first day of practice at Beech Springs. Fans littered the hills surrounding the fields, and along with Miller were treated to a few surprises.
“We had several younger players who showed they are ready to step up,” Miller said. “That is going to give us good backups, which is something we haven’t had over the last few years.”
Miller was also pleased with the cooler temperatures that greeted the team Monday.
“The weather was great,” Miller said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
Byrnes will continue to practice each day, from 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. until the start of school.
The Rebels’ first scrimmage will be Tuesday at Chester. That will be followed by a matchup against Polk County in the Border Showcase on Aug. 14, a visit to Woodruff on Aug. 17, and a meeting with Rock Hill in the Broome Jamboree on Aug. 20.
Woodruff
•Woodruff Coach Brian Lane was all smiles during the Wolverines first practice Monday morning as cloudy weather and cool temperatures surrounded his practice field.
“The Lord has blessed us today,” said Lane as he addressed his team as they were stretching and getting loose.
The team was broken into groups and rotated through a number of different drills showcasing each individual’s speed, agility, power, and skill. After these drills, the Wolverines ran some plays and Junior QB Ryan Perkins showed off his arm to coaches, teammates and on-lookers. Perkins who is only a junior will undoubtedly have some huge shoes to feel as he replaces Jake Lambert, but one thing became obvious on Monday Morning and that is the fact that Perkins has a cannon for an arm.
“How did he fit that in there,” one Wolverine asked a teammate after Perkins delivered a twenty-yard high strike down the middle of the field that found its way through four defenders.
“First down, move those chains,” Coach Lane shouted after the brilliant pass and catch.
Despite significant losses upfront on the offensive line and a broken ankle that will likely have star receiver BJ Johnson sidelined until Week 5 of the season, the Wolverines look more than competitive heading into the 2010 season.
“We have to replace alot from last year’s team but we have six guys coming back on defense,” said Lane.
“We are going to surprise some people this year,” said Lane as he watched his new QB throw another strike.
Boiling Springs
•The Boiling Springs Bulldogs enjoyed the low temps at Monday’s practice they just didn’t enjoy running the same plays over and over and over again.
The most oft repeated phrase out of Head Coach Bruce Clark and his assistant coaches on this day? “Do it again.”
At times it felt like a geography lesson as coaches barked out Chicago, Dallas or Texas to alert players to plays and formations.
Later on when running back Tyler Leath made a sharp cut and kicked up a clod of dirt, you might have thought running backs and tight ends coach Chris Powell was a horticulturalist when he yelled, “Dang it man you’re tearing up my grass!”
It was Powell’s way of reminding Leath to keep his feet up and going.
Later during a passing drill a receiver fell hard to the turf. He got no sympathy as shouts of “Get up! Get up! Ain’t no one going to feel sorry for you,” rang out across the field.
Coach Clark was just happy to be back on the field at the start of this year’s practices. “It’s good to be back, it’s good to see the Bulldogs back on the field,” he said with a smile.
Asked who he liked in the early practices he smiled and said, “I like all of them. We’re going to be good. We’ve got some talented kids that just need some game experience.”
Chapman
•The cool, overcast weather was a welcome sight Saturday and Monday, and had some coaches wishing they were meterologists.
“I wish we’d seen this weather coming,” Chapman head coach Kevin Farmer said. “We built in a break today, and I’d rather be out here taking advantage of the clouds.”
Farmer said while the low temperatures were a treat, he’d like to see training camp heat up, at least a little bit.
“You want it a little hot,” he said. “You’ve got to have that to get in better shape.”
On the field, the Panthers look to be solid. Josh Henderson will be the team’s new quarterback and will direct the offense, while Moose Durham returns at linebacker to anchor the defense.
Dorman
•At Dorman on Saturday’s rainy second day of practice, a couple of ex-Cavaliers who have moved on to the college ranks were on hand to watch their former team.
Malcolm Boyd and Brandon Thomas watched from the sidelines as the Cavaliers went through the paces on Saturday. Both were still excited about last year’s state title for Dorman, and both had high hopes for the team.
“I think they’re gonna be good again,” Thomas said. “I think they can do it.”
The Cavaliers must replace eight starters from last year’s stingy defense, but have six starters back on the offensive side, including ESPN Top 15 player Charone Peake.
Chesnee
•On Friday at Chesnee, the temperatures (and the intensity) were much higher. The Eagles spent much of the first part of the morning on defensive work, and defensive coordinator Louis Story was pleased with the effort, despite the High School League’s ban on contact. After watching his players fly to a ball carrier, raise both arms and spin harmlessly away without touching, Story praised the intensity of his team.
“I know it’s the hardest thing in the world, after all you’ve been taught, to see a man with the football and not hit him,” Story said. “But this is a key time. See yourself breaking down and making the tackle. Visualize violence. See that helmet popping off. I know it’s tough, but contact will come soon enough.”
Defense is expected to be one of the Eagles’ strong points, as is play on the offensive line.
Broome
•Broome coach Todd Staley anxiously watched his squad go through drills, correcting routes and sending receivers in the right direction. Around the field, other coaches barked instructions as the Centurions went through the first day of practice.
“I think it’s going pretty well,” Staley said. “The weather’s not too bad, the attitude is good, and we’re getting good effort. It’s a pretty good first day.”
Blacksburg
•Blacksburg enjoyed an interesting first day, with team pictures capping off the day’s activities in the evening. Coach Mickey Moss said the Wildcats had a good early-morning practice despite some setbacks.
“We’ve got a few bumps and bruises, a couple who haven’t been cleared, but we’ll be ok,” he said. “These kids have a great attitude, and we had a good practice this morning.
Photo By Preston Burch
Byrnes quarterback Zach Blair fires a pass during Monday’s practice. Blair will take over the controls of the Rebels offense from Chas Dodd.
Reports by Joel Fitzpatrick at Byrnes, Phil Buchheit at Woodruff, Leon Russ at Boiling Springs, and Jed Blackwell at Chapman, Dorman, Chesnee, Broome and Blacksburg.
 Email This Post
|
