By Staff
INSTRUCTING THE TROOPS Head coach Mac Barnes explains things to the Lamar Raiders during Monday's opening day of football practice. Photo by Kyle Carter/The Meridian Star
By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 29, 2003
School is approaching quickly and that can only mean one thing football season is about to begin.
The Mississippi Private School Association football teams started organized practices on Monday, with the football season fast approaching.
Practice for Lamar started on Monday morning with some running and the Raiders followed it up with a practice in the afternoon.
The MPSA teams begin the season on Aug. 22, but the squads will be able to get in some scrimmage action before the season gets kicked off.
The Raiders are set to scrimmage Jackson Academy a week from Friday and will be in a jamboree at Oak Hill before playing Wayne Academy in the opening game of the season the following week.
The offseason is also very important to get the players ready to be in game-playing shape.
The Raiders also have more players to work with this season, so the practices are an important part of getting players where they need to be.
Lamar will have three days of practice in shorts and t-shirts. Thursday, the Raiders will start practices with shoulder pads, and full-pad practices will begin next Monday.
One of the main concerns about the first weeks of practices can often be the heat. The teams must work through the hot weather to be ready for the season.