Geared for the gridiron
Panthers begin spring practice
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Panthers Head Coach Todd Peugh looks on as freshman quarterback Kolt Owenby slings a pass during the first day of spring practice.

Football season is still months away, but an afternoon drive by the Panthers practice field might lead someone to a different conclusion. On Monday the team began two weeks of spring practice, as roughly 70 kids turned out to get a jump on fall play.

That number, already massive compared to past turnouts, is likely to grow even higher.

"Today [Wednesday] there will probably be a little bit more because all of the physicals were taken yesterday," Panthers Head Coach Todd Peugh explained. "We will have a better idea of how many we have."

With a lot of freshmen faces on the field, the first few days have been heavy on fundamentals. "We're still debating on when we are going to go full pads," Coach Peugh said. "We're getting the basics and fundamentals of our defense and offense down, and putting a foundation down for what we are going to do in the summer."

Luke Parker stretches out to corral the pass with one hand.

The coach said that more than ever the team is tailoring schemes based on the personnel it has. "We felt like last year we were trying to fit a square peg in a round hole," the coach said. "In the offseason we started looking at the type of kids we had coming up and are sort of trying to base a scheme around what we are going to have year in and year out."

The coach said that while some defensive plans will stay the same, the biggest changes are on offense right now.

"We are putting a lot of passing in because it is the hardest," Coach Peugh said. "But the kids are excited about it. It is going to be a lot of work in the summer, but I think the kids, even just after a day or two have been [very] excited about practicing."

The coach said that while being an efficient passing team is important for the aerial side of the game, it is just as valuable to the running game.

"When you spread it out and throw it, it makes the running easier," Coach Peugh said. "As coaches we spend a lot of time in the offseason going through things and it is good to see things progressing."

Players take a knee as they listen to the coaches.

Further coverage of spring practice will be featured in next week's edition of the Sentinel.

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Quarterback Kyle McClure hurls the pass. Coach Hussion helps work on a blocking drill. Coach Peugh speaks to the team.