The Palestine Herald
August 06, 2008 03:45 pm
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By SCOTT TYLER
H-P Sports Editor
GRAPELAND — Grapeland head coach Curt Faigle already is seeing the leadership of his seniors.
The Grapeland seniors took it upon themselves to start Monday’s practice a half hour earlier, showing their head coach the dedication they have for the 2008 season.
“The seniors already have shown that they are taking ownership of the team,” Faigle said.
Grapeland had 43 players report Monday for the first day of practice. The Sandies are having two-a-day practices in the morning, going two 90-minute sessions.
“We are trying to install our schemes and learning technique and instruction before we put on pads Friday,” Faigle said. “We want to have good habits when we start hitting.”
Grapeland, like all the area teams who practiced in the morning, got a break from the weather Tuesday.
“Today was real nice and we tried to take advantage of it,” Faigle said. “We know we are not going to get that kind of weather the rest of the week and we do not want to play around when it comes to the heat.”
ELKHART
Elkhart first-year head coach Tim Lewis is pleased with what he has seen from his new team during the first days of practice.
“These are the hardest working kids I have been around,” Lewis said.
The Elks have gone to the traditional two-a-day practices, going for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
Lewis said he has been impressed with the seniors.
“We have a solid group of senior leaders,” Lewis said. “They have shown great work ethic and have given an example for the rest of the team.”
CAYUGA
Two days into practice and Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison already is seeing a difference from last year at the same time.
“The biggest thing is that we are so far ahead after having a year in the program,” Allison said. “They are able to step in immediately and remember the blocking schemes, plays and formations.”
Cayuga had 48 players ready for practice Monday which was higher than the Wildcats had last season in Allison’s first year.
Allison is looking to get most of the basics in before Friday when Cayuga will practice in pads for the first time.
“We want to get the core of our offense and defense in and work hard on our conditioning,” the Cayuga head coach said. “Then Friday we see who is willing to knock heads.”
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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com
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