Spring practice
Published 12:00 am Monday, April 28, 2003
continues for CHHS
By Micah Lewter
The Charles Henderson football team continued its spring workouts Monday in the practice field next to the baseball field.
Although the Trojans lost 22 seniors from last year's team, the orange, blue and white shirts were plenty Monday as the Trojans tried to bring the feel of fall to the spring day. More than 60 potential players were dressed out to try to find playing time in the fall.
"There will be a few more," Charles Henderson coach Hugh Fountain said. "We've got about eight baseball players who will be coming in later."
The baseball players were given the day off since their season ended Saturday in Mobile.
At least one of the baseball players decided to pass on the optional off day. Quarterback (and baseball pitcher) Pete Van Horn threw passes along the sideline but did not participate in contact drills.
The rest of those present did participate in contact drills, and they were contacted often. One of the first orders of business was to instill some fear in the young players with a punt return drill. The young sacrificial lambs were forced to try to field punts while a bunch of speedy strong players ran full speed at them.
The familiar sound of shoulder pads popping and players hooting and hollering were heard as players from all sides suffered shattering blows.
For the duration of the spring, the players are divided into two teams, an orange team and a white team. The talent level is fairly even between the two teams, with returning starters playing for each team.
"We do that to try to build depth," Fountain said.
The two teams will face each other in a mock game near the end of the spring.
The Trojans will return to the practice field today and will practice throughout the week.