Saints hoping for more numbers as season approaches

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on July 27, 2016 1:48 PM

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DUDLEY -- Approximately 30 Southern Wayne football players jogged to the practice field and lined up along the sideline.

Navy helmets were placed on heads and chinstraps were simultaneously buckled. In a few weeks, the team will be headed to war against James Kenan in the season opener.

Before that time, the Saints will need more troops in the barracks.

But Southern Wayne head coach David Lee said he was pleased with those already participating, especially given the rising temperatures.

"It's hot, so I think (the players) are giving us a pretty great effort to be honest with you," Lee said. "We're still in the process of getting in shape, but we have to be careful how we do it with the heat and humidity the way it is."

The team began their workout in the weight room at 9 a.m., and focused on lower body muscles for about 30 to 40 minutes. This was followed by field maintenance for another 20 minutes.

The players then made their way to the field to begin group stretches and a variety of drills.

On the left side of the field, the receivers and defensive backs went against each other in passing exercises. Adjacent to them were the running backs, who worked on their agility.

In the right corner, linemen could be seen practicing their blocking assignments. On the far side of the gridiron were two quarterbacks, who were both quickly chopping their feet around several orange cones.

For the final 20 to 25 minutes of practice, all of the players came together for a noncontact scrimmage, so the team could focus on their reads and reactions.

Lee said the players' commitment to strength and conditioning is as high as it's ever been under his tenure. However, he believes they can push it to another level.

"They're never good enough," Lee said. "I think strength-wise, we're as strong as we've been in the last four or five years. So we're in better position. But are we where we need to be? No we're not. As a coach, you don't really ever feel like you're where you need to be."

Heading into the first day of practice next week, the only aspect that concerns Lee is the number of kids coming to the practices.

Come August 1, Lee is hoping that he'll be greeted with the cavalry.

"I'm pretty pleased varsity wise," Lee said. "We've got some kids that haven't been showing up right here lately that I'm hoping will come out. I'm hoping we'll have a lot of kids that haven't shown up from the middle schools last year.

"But as far as where we're at offensively and defensively -- we're pretty excited."