By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
May 22, 2004
The rebuilding effort has begun at Northeast Lauderdale.
The Trojans wrapped up spring football practices on May 14 after spending three weeks introducing several newcomers to the rigors of high school football.
Nelson used the Trojans' recent appearance in the spring jamboree at Forest, where they faced off against Philadelphia, to give rising freshmen and other inexperienced players their first taste of live action. Northeast Lauderdale lost 20-7, but Nelson said the final score wasn't his main concern.
Those young players will be counted on quickly. Though quarterback Maurice Langston returns as a junior and the offensive line is staffed by veterans, most skill positions were hit hard by graduation.
With a horde of new faces surrounding him, Langston will be counted on heavily.
And though the veteran coach said Langston is capable of leading the young offense, Nelson just as quickly reiterates that Langston can't do it alone.
But nearly three months remain until the Trojans kick off the 2004 season, and until then, summer workouts will consume the team's time. Players will be required to participate in a minimum number of workouts between Monday and the beginning of two-a-day practices in August.