Huntingdon wraps up second day of preseason practice
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team closed out its second day of preseason practice with another workout in shorts and helmets.
As the Hawks work to install their offensive and defensive schemes, the coaching staff is continuing to focus on effort and energy level.
"We're still trying to get things installed, and that causes confusion for the younger guys. We're about half way through the installation process, so we still have a ways to go," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "We're still struggling with our energy level a little. Enthusiasm is good at the beginning of practice, but as we get tired it begins to trail off. As I've told the guys, that's understandable but it's not acceptable."
The Hawks will put on shoulder pads for the first time on Saturday and will be in full gear beginning Monday. The Hawks will practice at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Practice is open to the public.
"This is when it starts to be real football," Turk said. "When we practice in shells (helmets, shoulder pads and shorts), we practice at the same speed as full gear. We just don't tackle people all the way to the ground. That's the only difference. This is when the intensity level picks up."
As the intensity level increases, Turk will be looking for big things from his receivers. Although Turk did not want to single out any of the Hawks' new or returning receivers just yet, among the returning receivers are five who combined for 115 catches, 2,151 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.
"This is probably as deep a group as we have on the field," Turk said. "We have five guys that helped us win games last year and a couple of others that have stepped up in the offseason and look like they can help us. We play a lot of guys at that position, so it's important that we have a lot of depth there.
"We're a spread team and we're going to have at least three receivers in the game on every snap. Having depth there is big and the experience level we have now will help us greatly."