Greenwood is in to the second week of their 3 Week 8 practice schedule.
The pads were popping on practice number 5 and 6, as the rust of the off season started to wear off. Returning to practice this week the players that had been playing baseball and were in the State Tournament the previous week. It was the return of Juniors Brady Pettigrew and Braden Skaggs on defense, and All-State sophomore receiver Grant Karnes. Karnes matched the effort on the diamond by being named All-State in baseball as well for his effort at Pitcher.
Several big catches were made by Junior Noah Chaser and Sophomore Grant Karnes. But the defense stood out during there live situational period of practice. Sophomore Kaylor Jasna had a big pass break up, as well as the defensive line stopping runs from Juniors Brayden Davis and Isaiah Niles. Freshman Running Back Wesley Raggio has been a pleasant surprise this spring getting some good reps behind the experienced Offensive Line.
“Things are going good. One of things we stressed this year is getting more physical as a football team. We’ve opened up a bit more, we do more live. Little bit more physical on the inside, and it’s spread throughout our football team.” Coach Chris Young said after practice.
While most of the talk on several different platforms of the upcoming season will center on the offense and the younger talent, it is the defense that will surprise people this fall. While losing a linebacker like Evan Williams and a Safety in Storm Scherry, it is the returning players that made up the 8-9 other spots that will grab headlines. “You got a lot of guys that can run and are strong, there’s going to be competition for playing time.” Coach Young said about the defense. “There’s five or six really good defensive ends, and only two of those guys will be able to fill those.”
There are two more practices, one on Monday and Tuesday before the this team is unveiled on Thursday May 25th.
The Spring Game will take place at Smith-Robinson Stadium. As the team did last year the opener will be the Jr. High and Freshman squads competing in a 7 on 7 for the skill players and lineman challenge. The upcoming 8th Grade team finished undefeated in their 7th grade season. While the upcoming 9th grade team had an up and down season. The Varsity team will take the field shortly after.
