Jr. high teams prepare for opener

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Cubs began football practice Thursday, Aug. 17 with the start of the new school year.

Seventh and eighth grade teams will open the season Aug. 31 at Dublin.

Albany ISD athletic director Ryder Peacock, who will coach the teams with Tate Thompson, said 27 players have come out this year. Both teams got right to work despite Thursday also being the day of the high school program’s scrimmage at Early.

“The first couple of days, we were able to get them out there and get helmets on them and get them acclimated to that heat,” Peacock said. “We went about 30 minutes each day. It was good to get them used to dressing out.”

Things picked up Monday, Aug. 21 with the addition of “shells” – helmets and shoulder pads. The teams will be in full pads by the end of the week.

“I feel like we’ve kind of got a head start,” Peacock said.

With 13 players on one team and 14 on the other, Peacock said each player will have to learn to play several positions.

“Last year, we had a big eighth grade and were able to maneuver some things around,” he said. “This year, we’ll be holding our breath every week for injuries and sickness.”

Peacock said the teams will treat the first outing at Dublin as more of a scrimmage, especially for the seventh grade.

“I’m not sure of the format yet, but I expect we’ll do some sort of combination of a scrimmage and a game,” he said. “For the most part, it’ll be getting them in the huddle, break the huddle, run a play, and get them used to that rhythm.”

Peacock said the second outing, Sept. 7 at Seymour, will see more action. The first home appearance for the Cubs will be Thursday, Sept. 14 against Hawley.