Initial workout at Goldsboro draws coach's praise

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 2, 2013 1:49 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

One sharp clap of the hand sent the quarterback and receiver in motion.

The brown, oblong football floated through the air. The defender back-pedaled, the receiver looked back over his shoulder and hauled in the pass as he tumbled to the wet turf.

"Remember, I want to see curls and not corners (route)," Goldsboro High head coach Eric Reid barked.

Thus went the first day of practice with Cougar Stadium as the backdrop on Thursday afternoon. More than 50 prospective JV and varsity players reported as the high school football season officially opened across North Carolina.

"For the first day, I would have rather had more numbers, but with what we've got it's been a good, energetic practice," Reid said. "The guys are catching on and picking each other up, which is what I want from my nucleus (of returning players), which is going to be our mainstay."

Reid looked down toward the sled where a solid group of linemen momentarily rested before beginning the next segment of their station drill.

The receivers continued to run their patterns, but soon took a much-needed water break in the humid conditions. Assistant coaches diligently worked with JV and varsity players at two other stations farther down the field.

Goldsboro's preparation for opening day of the 2013 high school football season started after Christmas of last year. Reid said some of the younger players got involved in weight training. He added that summer workouts, which were involuntary and included weight training and conditioning, were well-attended.

"Getting in shape is the hardest part," Reid said. "Now, we don't have to take three or four days or more to get them in shape before we starting working on our game plans.

"It's a testament to what they've done over the summer. I am proud of them for that."