Game time edging closer:Pioneers preparing to battle Wildcats
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This week, the team has a new mission: Get better than the Livingston Academy Wildcats.
The Pioneers’ first “game week” began Monday, with a three-hour practice devoted to establishing their offensive gameplan for Friday’s 2004 season opener.
“This is game week, and we’ve got to focus on an opponent,” said first-year coach Chris Madewell. “That’s the good thing about game week, is that you have more of a focus — as opposed to spring and summer practice, when you don’t really have a common enemy out there to work toward.
“All the spring camp, all the work during the summer through 7-on-7 games and two-a-day practices, none of that means a lot if we can’t come out and get it done this week.”
Madewell said this week will be typical of the Pioneers’ game preparation over their 10-game schedule.
“Monday and Tuesday will be our long days,” he said, “and one day will be offense and the other defense. Wednesday will be more a day for polishing what we’re going to do, then Thursdays will be a light day, more of a walk-through situation.”
Part of each day’s practice will pair the Pioneers against a “scout” team of opponents, who will be going through offensive and defensive schemes designed based on what that week’s opponents are scheduled to do.
Madewell noted the varsity and freshman practice schedules are coordinated so that all hands on the coaching staff can be on deck once those 11-on-11 drills begin.
“The freshmen are getting finished at 5, and we’re starting our team stuff at 5,” he said, “so those coaches working with the freshmen can come up and work with our scout team, so that works out great.”
Kickoff for Friday night’s game in Livingston is scheduled for 7 p.m.