Tidwell: Squad lacks numbers, but has good ‘football mentality’
When the Pioneer football team came streaming out of the locker room Monday for its first day of full-pads practice, there was no shortage of enthusiasm.
But there was, unfortunately, somewhat of a shortage of players.
Head coach Gerald Tidwell said on Tuesday that, just as with last year’s team, the WCHS roster isn’t as large as he would have liked. However, the Pioneer head coach noted while his team may be light on depth, the group of just under 50 players who are coming out for summer drills makes up for it with its attitude.
“One thing about our kids, the numbers aren’t what we’d like, but the kids we do have with us have the kind of football mentality we’re after,” Tidwell said. “They know what’s expected of them, and for the most part they give us everything they have.”
At this early point during summer drills, Tidwell said the team’s numbers still have time to grow before the season begins Aug. 22. But the biggest way to increase participation, the coach noted, will be to field a successful program.
“Once we get some wins under our belt, we know those numbers will go up,” Tidwell said. “But that takes time.
“We’re pleased with the group we’ve got out there right now, though, and we’re looking forward to working with them.”