Close to 50 expected for football workouts
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions will start getting ready for the 2022 football season with their first preseason workout at 8:00 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1.
Lions head coach Denney Faith said he expects between 40 and 50 players to take part in the program this year.
"We’ve been passing out all their gear this week, so they should be dressed and ready to go by 8:00 in the big room,” Faith said. “Those that haven’t gotten their stuff need to get here early.”
UIL regulations mandate a five-day acclimatization period with no contact allowed. While rules permit teams to don “shells” (shoulder pads) on the fourth day, Faith said the Lions will spend the entire week in shorts, T-shirts, and helmets.
“We’re going to be old school just like we used to do it,” he said.
Practices are limited to the high school grades. Junior high practice cannot begin until the first day of class.
Faith said the focus of the first week will be on conditioning.
“That’s going to be the important thing,” he said. “Kids need to start making sure they get plenty of fluids, and they need to start doing that right now, not waiting until the day of or the day before. They need to go ahead and start getting plenty of fluids in their system.”
Full-pad workouts with contact will begin on Monday, Aug. 8.
Earlier in July, Faith sent letters to prospective players with forms that must be completed and on file before the start of practice.
“We had several seniors on Monday who didn’t have all their stuff,” Faith said.
While traditionally referred to as “two-a-days,” Faith said the Lions will conduct just one practice session each day during the first two weeks.
“We’ll start at 8:00 a.m. and be out of the weight room by 11:30 or 12:00,” he said.
The Lions will conclude their second week of practice by scrimmaging Coleman on Friday, Aug. 12 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium. The second scrimmage will be against Early on Thursday, Aug. 18, also at home.
The season will kick off Friday, Aug. 26, with a home game against Lubbock Trinity Christian.
