WCMS tuning up for season – Pioneers complete first full week in pads

Last week’s practice session was supposed to be about conditioning for the Warren County Middle School football team. But after Monday’s workout in full pads, it was clear there’s nothing like strapping on a helmet and a little full-contact hitting to make even the best-conditioned athlete a little weary.

‘We started a little slow at the beginning of the week, but we started to see some encouraging things on Wednesday,’ said coach Bill Harris.

‘The first couple of days in pads, some of the kids were a little unsure about themselves. We had to show them how to line up and how to hit. They built some confidence after the first couple of days and we started to see some big changes in their attitudes. They started hitting with some enthusiasm.’

The Pioneer squad will complete a full week of drills in full pads this afternoon and although the heat and humidity have taken a toll on some of the young men, the team has accomplished a lot this week as the squad prepares for its first scrimmage against Blackman on Monday.

Coach Harris and his staff lost 22 starters from last year’s squad and right now have around 40 kids on the roster competing for a starting role.

‘This team doesn’t have much experience, but I’m very encouraged about their abilities,’ stated Harris.

‘Right now we’re a little behind on where we should be, but as the season goes on, we will continue to develop and get better. There’s several players starting to step up and that’s very encouraging. The kids are working hard and we have to continue to work hard every day.’

The Pioneers will leave for Blackman at 2 p.m. and on Thursday the team will travel to the Franklin County Jamboree. The middle school squad will kick of its 2007 campaign at home on the 18th against Cascade.