PREP FOOTBALL: Cougars work at up-tempo pace

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 31, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Undoubtedly in his element, Charles Lane began to belt out his own rendition of "Remember Me," as Goldsboro High's football players went through a station drill Monday evening.

Of course, the lyrics held a different meaning.

"You'll remember that crazy coach, he is the one who is going to get you in shape," Lane crooned.

One player finished and crouched as his teammates filtered through.

"You ain't dead yet," Lane said.

The drill came to a grinding halt as one player failed to raise his head and knocked down the tunnel top that balanced on two cones, a stick and a broom handle. It clanged to the rain-soaked ground.

Lane voiced his disapproval.

"Go back, do it again," he said. "Bend at the knees. Don't cheat on me."

An air horn blew.

Two groups shifted.

One lineman asked Lane if he needed to go to the next station.

"That's all right, you stay here with me," Lane said.

He moved away from the tunnel and walked toward a set of bright yellow pads on the ground. The former Goldsboro High head coach pushed them into a line with his foot as the players watch.

Next drill, fellas.

Interim head coach Tim Ray occasionally gazed at his clipboard throughout the first 45 minutes. He'd step over to watch a drill or assist, if needed.

The main task?

Ray wanted to make sure everyone stayed on time and worked at a pace similar to the offensive scheme the Cougars plan to run on Friday nights this fall.

"Just making sure we keep the kids up-tempo, keep practice up-tempo and making sure they're ready for the expectations [of the season] from the coaches and everyone else in the community," Ray said.

"We're running practice the same way we would any other day. So far it's been a great first day."