It will be a back to the basics approach for David Emanuel Academy as they began with the first official day of football practice on Monday morning. Second year Coach Jimmy Barnett welcomed 21 players for the two-a-day workouts that will focus on conditioning and fundamentals.
“We are going to get in better shape and we are going to do a lot of teaching,” said Barnett. “We made some progress last year but we didn’t finish where I wanted to. This year it will be a simple plan and a much different tempo.”
The practice schedule for the week will be 8:30 AM to 11:30 and 1:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. With the heat index expected to soar, the weather conditions will be closely monitored. “We have a policy in place for extreme heat” said athletic director Andy Callaway. “We want our guys to be conditioned to play but we will go by the chart put safety first when the situation calls for it.”
The Eagles improved to 4-6 in 2010 after a 1-9 mark the year before. DEA, looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2005, was in the hunt until week eleven before losing out to Curtis Baptist in the regular season finale.
DEA graduated mostly size on the line and experience at other key positions. The Eagles main experience is in the skill positions with depth on the line being the biggest concern.
The Eagles will have their first pre-season scrimmage on August 16 at 5:30 in Sparta versus Thomas Jefferson Academy as part of the Bob Peck Kickoff Classic. The 2011 regular season begins on Thursday August 25 when DEA hosts Bulloch Academy.
DEA Football to get back to Basics
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