By: TOM GOETZ, DAILY LEADER Sports Editor
Mississippi Private School Association football teams launch preseason practice Monday as coaches begin preparing for the 2009 campaign.
Mississippi Private School Association football teams launch preseason practice Monday as coaches begin preparing for the 2009 campaign.
Brookhaven Academy head coach Herbert Davis said he expects around 30 players for tomorrow's 7 a.m. practice. Davis planned a 3 p.m. meeting today for varsity players at the field house. They will receive physical exams and Davis will discuss practice plans in depth. After tomorrow morning's practice, the Cougars will practice again at 4 p.m. The first 2 days of practice will see players wearing shorts and helmets. They'll don shoulder pads Wednesday and put on full equipment next Monday. They will scrimmage Jackson Academy at Jackson Aug. 7, starting at 3:30 p.m. On Aug. 14, the Cougars participate in the Parklane jamboree. Their first game is Aug. 21, hosting the Silliman Institute (La.) Wildcats. Davis and the Cougars are 3-time defending District 4-AA champions. "We are excited about getting started," said Davis. "We are looking forward to the season." The Cougars finished 8-3 last season.
Parklane Academy: Coach Bo Milton's McComb Parklane Pioneers start practice at 7:30 each morning and labor until 9:30 this week. After a 60-minutte break, they resume practice from 10:30 to noon. Milton said he expected 45 players to participate. Parklane's jamboree is Aug. 14, with Centreville Academy and Brookhaven Academy joining the Pioneers. The Pioneers kick off their 2009 season Aug. 21, at Jackson Academy. "It's a tough opener but that's how you build your program, " said Milton. In his first season at the helm of his alma mater, the Pioneers finished 7-3.
Copiah Academy: At Gallman, Copiah Academy begins practice Monday. The Colonels, coached by Scott Cline, will practice twice daily, Monday through Wednesday, starting at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Coach Cline said he expected around 30 varsity candidates. On Wednesday, the Colonels will practice that afternoon through Saturday at Millsaps College in Jackson. Canton Academy will join in the joint practice sessions. Copiah Academy hosts its annual jamboree Thursday, Aug. 13. Joining the Colonels are Newton Academy, Hillcrest Christian, River Oaks, La. Huntington, La., ACCS, East Rankin and Central Hinds. The Colonels, who went 5-6 last year, kick off their season Aug. 21, hosting Riverfield (La.). This season the Colonels are moving up to Class AAA, Division II. On Labor Day Weekend, the Colonels will travel to Destin, Fla., and play Rocky Bayou Christian on Sept. 4.
