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franklin county times

Coaches, players enjoy first day

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Aug. 6, 2002
New Northeast Lauderdale head football coach Steve Nelson put his charges through a pair of practices before Monday afternoon's rain.
The Trojans had a two-hour practice Monday morning and another 2 1/2-hour workout that started at 11:30 a.m.
Monday was the first day public school teams could take to the field and begin work for the upcoming fall season. Southeast Lauderdale and Meridian, much like most area schools, decided on just having one afternoon practice.
For Nelson, the extra session on Monday is necessary. The Trojans were unable to work this spring and are quite a ways behind other teams at this stage.
Northeast had 37 players come to the 8:30 a.m. practice.
Nelson and his staff will spend much of the next two weeks putting in new offensive and defensive schemes with the Trojans.
Teams will be able to work the first three days in shorts and helmets. They don shoulder pads on Thursday and Friday. Full contact work begins next week.
Taylor is expecting 45 players out for fall workouts. A big emphasis point will be finding a quarterback to replace three-year starter Ben Reed.
I think we're going to be okay on defense. We can run to the ball."
At Meridian High School, new head coach Ed Stanley put his Wildcats through a 2 1/2-plus workout. Stanley was expecting 90 players to report for fall work.

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