By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
CHOCOWINITY — Though high school football practice doesn’t officially kick off until Aug. 1, the Southside Seahawks, like several other teams in the area, are getting some work in now.
Coach David Hines said the turnout has been solid.
“The goal right now is to get them back out here (on the field) and get them interested (in football),”
Hines said during Tuesday night’s workout. “We were out in June for about two weeks, averaging well over 50 (players) a night. We went on a two-week hiatus for people to finish up baseball, take vacations and do that kind of stuff.
“We started up again (Monday) night. We’re working on camaraderie and getting to know each other.”
Hines said the players have had a great attitude.
“The kids are wanting to play,” Hines said. “We have a good group of freshmen coming up.
“The older guys are working hard, and they’re getting the younger guys to work hard. We’re enjoying what we’re doing (as coaches) and the kids are enjoying it. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be out here.”
Hines said as many as 10 players are making the 40 minute drive from Aurora to be at the summer drills.
“That helps us a lot,” Hines said. “Last year we didn’t have any.”
Rising sophomore Terrill Moore took the majority of snaps at quarterback during Tuesday’s workouts.
“He’s a special athlete,” Hines said. “We’re going to be young, but we’re looking for special things out of our skill players.”
The players went through various football drills early in the evening. They were then split up, with half going inside to lift and the other half hitting the track with assistant coach Red Lewis for conditioning.
“They’re working in the weight room and they’re getting conditioning in,” Hines
said. “That’s what the summer time is for — getting them ready for August.”
Hines said getting the players out early will only benefit them when camp begins in August.
“What happens is, the kids become familiar with us and we become familiar with them,” Hines said. “The kids will be in better shape come the first (of August). Every school in the state of North Carolina, I’m sure, is out doing something at night or in the morning getting ready for August, because when August rolls around, you want them in as good a shape as you can get them.
“You get those first six days in August to really work them hard to get them into even better shape, which gets you ready for your scrimmage time.”
Hines is planning something special for the first official day of practice. When midnight strikes on Aug. 1, the Seahawks will hit the field for a two-hour practice.
“We’re going to go under the lights,” Hines said. “We want to make it a community thing and fans are welcome to come out.”
The Seahawks will open the season at home against North Duplin.
“It’s stiff competition again early,” Hines said. “North Duplin is always tough and they’re going to be well-coached and they’ll have good athletes. It will be a good test for us.
“After that, as I told the guys, we go one week at a time.”
Hines is anticipating a solid season for his Seahawks.
“I think the hopes are high,” Hines said. “The coaching staff really believes in what we’re doing, and the kids believe in what we’re doing. I think their expectations have actually risen.
“It’s too early to say, ‘well, I think we can win six, seven or 10 ballgames,’ but our expectations are higher coming off the win (34-33 over Northside) last year. Yeah, it was one, but that one win has given us a new attitude. I think that’s what we needed. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”