Lions start practice in good shape for 2020
By Donnie A. Lucas
A total of 46 players showed up for the first day of summer football on Monday, including 12 seniors who are returning for a final season.
“The first day of practice went well,” head football coach Denney Faith. “The guys were in relatively good shape, especially the ones who came to the conditioning sessions this summer, plus we had great weather.”
Temperatures were uncharacteristically mild on Monday, staying in the lower 80s throughout the morning. However, more typical August weather is in the forecast for the latter part of the week.
Morning workouts will continue throughout the week at 8:00 a.m., ending at about noon.
The coach said that he was happy with the class of seniors coming up this season.
“This is a good group of young men who we think will provide a lot of leadership,” Faith said. “They are all excited about the chance to get the season started and play some games.”
After schools were closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty during the last couple of months about school beginning as scheduled, workouts starting on Monday was welcomed.
Faith said that despite losing 12 or 13 seniors to graduation from last year’s team that advanced to the area round of the playoffs, he feels good about the replacements coming up.
“We think we know how we are filling most of the positions, but some reps in practice and a little competition for spots will help us make the decisions that need to be made,” he said.
The coach said that the offensive line is the unit that is returning with the most experience, looking good on the opening day.
“We have some new kids at some of the skilled positions, especially at receiver,” he said. “But they are good athletes who are working hard to get the timing down with our quarterbacks.”
Workouts will switch to the afternoons next week on the days the school staff has in-service training, which were not definitely set yet.
Faith said that the coaching staff is requiring players to wear face coverings when indoors, along with providing each player with a persoanal water bottle in an effort to reduce any exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
“We built a water tree for the guys to get under to cool off and get a drink without having to make contact with any surfaces,” Faith said. “They will also be taking their laundry home each day to be washed.”
The Lions will have team and individual pictures made on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the stadium.
The only scrimmage of the season is set for Thursday, Aug. 20 in Hawley, starting at 5:00 p.m. with the JV.
“We are really glad we got to start practicing as scheduled,” the coach said. “We will keep our fingers crossed that we get to finish the season as usual. It is still a very fluid situation and can all change in a day or two.”
Albany is set to open the regular season at home on Friday, Aug. 28 against the Colorado City Wolves at 7:00 p.m.
