SPORTS

Teams set tempo on first day of practice

Brett Hudson
bhudson@thenewsstar.com

Teams across the region hit the practice field to begin fall practice in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

West Monroe coach Jerry Arledge and his staff put the Rebels through the paces early in the morning in an attempt to beat the heat.

The first day gave the Rebels a lot to work on but plenty of excitement as well.

“It’s what we all work for,” Arledge said. “The kids work real hard over the summer to prepare for this and now it is finally here.”

West Monroe has some question marks such as several starters returning from injuries and a young offensive line that must find its way in a hurry, but the team was off and running on Monday.

“We didn’t get to put pads on (pads beginning Aug. 13) but being out there and executing was the best part,” West Monroe senior quarterback Jon Randall Belton said. “(Offensive line) is young but smart and they had great intensity. Once they get some Friday night experience, they will get the hang of it.”

Sterlington raising expectations

It was not long ago that Sterlington was battling for a playoff spot. One year removed from going to the Class 2A semifinals, the Panthers return 18 starters along with the expectations of winning.

“Right after last season ended, we talked about embracing expectations,” Sterlington coach Jason Thompson said. “They know what it takes and what is expected and it has become sort of our battle cry. Those things come with winning and with having so many starters coming back.”

Sterlington returns All-NELA Small School Defensive Player of the Year Jaylon King, a defensive back. Sterlington also returns the majority of their running game on offense including running backs Devonte Douglas and Jeffery Griffin.

“We have a luxury (of depth at running back) which is something we haven’t necessarily had in the past,” Thompson said. “It gives us a chance to have competition (in practice) and competition breeds success.”

Ruston, Neville excited to be back on field

Ruston coach Brad Laird's first day back on the practice field is usually his most frustrating.

"I've never really been a fan of day one of practice, and I know that doesn't make much sense," he said. "No matter how many times you've been over it and they know where to go, it's just something about when they put a helmet on that makes them go braindead. I understand we're dealing with 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds that have a lot of other stuff going on, but I like for things to run smoothly."

Laird can find solace in the root of his problem: the raw excitement in his players to be back on the field as preseason camp began Monday.

"It's just the excitement," Laird said. "We can say what we want, but nobody enjoys the summer. There's nothing at the end of the road that particular week to look forward to, but it's something that has to be done in order to be successful."

Laird's Bearcats enter the preseason with position battles around the field, especially at wide receiver and defensive line. Laird also has a couple of spots to fill on the offensive line and a couple of capable quarterbacks vying for the starting spot.

Neville coach Mickey McCarty is in a similar situation, as the Tigers will use the early portion of camp to find answers at linebacker and on both sides of the line of scrimmage, not to mention a quarterback battle McCarty said could extend into the regular season.

Ruston travels to Neville for the regular season opener.

Connect with Cody on Twitter @cfutrellTNS or via e-mail cfutrell@thenewsstar.com

Connect with Brett on Twitter @BHudsonTNS or via e-mail bhudson@thenewsstar.com