The Putnam County football team got back to the basics this spring.
Led by head coach Joel Harvin, the War Eagle staff had their players use the last month to get in shape.
“It wasn’t an actual spring practice period,” Harvin said. “It was them just kind of moving around, doing different drills, and seeing them do regular stuff that involves conditioning. It worked out well.”
The coaches had the players train in the weight room, utilizing the bench press, squat rack, or performing other exercises. Several returning varsity players set personal records this spring. They also did early morning mat drills several days a week at the team facility before school.
When the players hit the practice field, they went through drills in shorts, t-shirts, and helmets.
The staff had them participate in both offensive and defensive drills, focusing on schemes and plays. After practice, they reviewed film from the day’s session, hoping to correct any mistakes made.
“We’ve got some new coaches who came in and saw how the guys move,” Putnam’s head coach said. “So, it technically wasn’t a spring [practice period], but we did a lot of different stuff, and it went well.”
Harvin believes that gradually acclimating his players to the heat also helps prepare them for summer practice.
“Well, the conditioning makes the kids compete,” he explained. “Everything we try to do is to compete and get our kids to want to compete, to make everyone better.”
The team was missing several returning varsity players because they were participating in other spring sports. However, the War Eagles allowed a number of eighth graders to go through their first spring training sessions.
Harvin emphasized the importance of rising freshmen adjusting early to the high school level.
“[Spring practice gives] the eighth graders a chance to see how things are done in the program,” he said. “It also gives them a chance to get around the older kids and allows our older kids to become leaders.”
The War Eagles completed a few weeks of conditioning and workouts. They now have a few weeks off before summer practice begins following the GHSA’s mandated dead period, resuming in early June.
Due to Putnam County not having a spring game, the team will participate in two scrimmages this fall. The War Eagles are set to host West Laurens on Aug. 1 and Washington County on Aug. 8, leading up to their home season opener on Aug. 15 against rival Greene County.