Charles Henderson opens spring practice with large numbers, lots of excitement

Charles Henderson head coach Jamey Dubose likes to move fast. He just didn’t expect to be moving this fast, this early.

Dubose and the Trojans opened spring practice Monday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium a little after 3 P.m. The start time was delayed due to an unforeseen issue.

“The equipment got here about 1:30, and we have been doing all we can to get everyone geared up this afternoon,” said Dubose. “I have put more sets of shoulder pads on kids today than I have in one day in my life. It’s been busy, but any day that you get to get on the field it is a good one.”

Charles Henderson dressed over 70 players for the first day of spring, and Dubose said a few more are expected later in the year.

“We have a couple of guys playing baseball and running track right now,” Dubose said. “The numbers are good, but we expect them to get a little better. It always good to have numbers, but we have to find us 22 players that are ready for Friday nights.”

The team quickly split in two offense and defense, with each in a corresponding color, and went straight to work.

Defensive coaches worked on ball pursuit and angle drills, while the offensive players ran screen pass drills. After the light warm-up, Dubose and his staff ramped up the excitement level by running “board drills.”

The board drills match players one-on-one and allow players to get live work. Players bounced around and cheered on teammates from their respective position groups, but a lot of eyes centered on the battle between offensive lineman Christian London and linebacker Richard McBryde.

London and McBryde stalemated each other on two occasions.

“The excitement level is good now, but will it still be there in two hours,” Dubose said. “Will it be there in two weeks? We are looking for players right now that are ready to play. Spring will be big for us, and that all starts now. August will be here before you know it.”

Charles Henderson will practice three-days-a-week over the next few weeks, before meeting 6A Park Crossing in a jamboree game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.