Pads are already popping on the Warren County High School practice football field.
New coach Scott Smith is taking any chance he can get to practice his Pioneers and the TSSAA gave all state teams an extra week this season.
Starting Monday and lasting until Friday, teams are allowed to practice in shoulder pads and helmets before the official start of fall practice Monday, July 28. The new rule was put in place in an attempt to get players acclimated to the weather and give coaches a chance to get through the mandatory three practices in shorts before players can suit up in full pads.
Coach Smith seized the opportunity as his team hit the field at 5 p.m. Monday, then returned for a workout Tuesday morning that lasted over two hours. Over 60 varsity Pioneers and 50 more freshmen arrived ready to get going and coach Smith instantly was impressed with the dedication of his squad.
“We have had a good two days. We’re still learning how to be on time and learn to practice hard all the time, not just in spurts,” said Smith. “The numbers have been really solid and the seniors are doing a great job leading and setting the pace.”
The Pioneers are trying to bounce back from a 1-9 season a year ago, the last of four years under former coach Tommy Johnson.
Coach Smith and his staff – which includes former Pioneer coach Chris Madewell – are trying to replace a number of starters from last year’s team, especially record-breaking offensive starters Hunter Mullican, Lee Carden, D’Andre League and Cameron Lusk.
Replacing that kind of firepower won’t be easy, but the Pioneers have shown in 7-on-7 scrimmages throughout the summer that the offense can get going under Smith’s supervision.
The up-tempo system, which has been guided by quarterbacks Christian Wilkinson, Hunter Gudat and Rickie King in the spring and summer, helped the Pioneers beat Riverdale in a 7-on-7 scrimmage and hang tough with some the best competition in the Midstate. Playmakers on the outside have included Malik Ladet and Adrian Lusk, while Bryson Lewis is hoping to be the foundation of a strong running game in his senior year.
“We have spent most of the summer on passing. We’re really starting to focus back on the run game and the play-action pass game,” said Smith.
Along with getting his players familiar with the new regime, Smith is also hopeful fans will come out as well and see the new-look Pioneers. On his personal Twitter page (@WCFootball2014), Smith sent out Monday, “We invite anyone that would like to come out and watch practice.”
Practices will go from 8-11 a.m. from Wednesday until Friday.