Cougar seniors setting the example

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on July 29, 2016 1:48 PM

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As the final day of mini-camp concluded on Thursday, Goldsboro head coach Bennett Johnson decided to let his group relive their playground days with nostalgia-filled pick-up football games.

Johnson wanted his players to have fun, but with a caveat -- no babysitting and no hand holding.

With little coaxing, the four selected captains chose their own teams and went to work. Johnson and his assistant coaches looked on from the shaded bleachers as their Cougars constantly pushed each other to become better.

Johnson said the willingness of the older players to take the "bull by the horns" makes it easier on the coaching staff to motivate players.

"This team is senior-led, and they lead the direction the coaches want them to lead," Johnson said. "All teams have leaders, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're being led in the correct direction. But this group really leads in the right direction."

During the summer, Johnson said he has been averaging 35 to 40 kids at the workout sessions. As the beginning of the season inches closer, he expects a group of approximately 60 players.

The young head coach said the past few days have served as a max-out week in the weight room, adding that several players have seen noticeable improvement in their strength since the beginning of the summer.

"That's exactly what we wanted to see," Johnson said. "And that's a testament to their commitment and hard work. So it's been a really good last week. We're definitely a stronger team than when the summer started, and that's all you could ask for."

Entering this week, Johnson noted that he was comfortable with the team's current state of strength and conditioning.

During the summer workouts, the team usually spent an hour and a half in the weight room. Naturally, the players knew what was required of them once they entered.

"There's very little standing around," Johnson said. "They're always doing something. Our seniors have set the bar of what we want to see in the weight room."

Johnson believes the team has developed a solid foundation on both offense and defense. He added that the commitment level is where it needs to be, and the team is as strong as it's ever been.

The coaching staff sets the standard, but they will continue to lean on their older players to bring the intensity in the upcoming practices next week.

"(Commitment and strength) are checked off the checklist," Johnson said. "So now it's just a matter of being really, really good at what we do and being disciplined. And just continue to come closer as a team. Right now, it's a tight-knit group and it's fun to watch. It's been my most fun summer out here yet."