CHOCOWINITY — The first day of fall practice has finally arrived. The Southside Seahawks were back on the field Thursday morning preparing for the home stretch of practices before scrimmages and games take over their schedules.

The Seahawks have been a notoriously run-dominant football team. Despite the loss of a few running backs from last year’s team to graduation, head coach Jeff Carrow and the running back corps believe they can pick up where they left off from last season.

Carrow said that he holds his running backs to “extremely high” standards, and that won’t change again this season.

“We are known around here for having running backs, and being a running team,” Carrow said. “If we don’t have a 1,000-yard rusher, if not two, then I’ll be disappointed. That’s just kind of how we roll. We have the talent to do that. That’s not being cocky; it’s just in the scheme of things. I feel like we should have multiple guys with chunk yardage.”

Carrow mentioned that the depth in the backfield is plentiful enough to be able to slide some guys out in the slot if they need to. They have different types of running backs that are talented with the ball in space according to Carrow.

“We have high, high expectations for our backs,” Carrow said. “They’re intelligent guys, they’re athletic, each one have their own little running style. Figuring out who’s going to block is going to be the key thing, and vocal leadership.”

There are quite a few guys that the Seahawks will look to in the backfield. Jamari Nelson, Aeron Wright, Davion Carter, Keywon Campbell, Kenjray Coffield, Kaleb Jones Taylor, Jaqwan Cobb will all likely see playing time somewhere in the backfield whether it be at tailback, fullback or as one of the wings.

“We got a good mix and a good depth of guys that work well together,” Carrow said. “They push each other. I am really excited about our backfield.”

Carter wasn’t short of confidence when asked about the running back group this season.

“I think our backfield is probably the strongest part of our team this year,” Carter said. “I think I’ll have a pretty good season, I’m trying to get 1,000 yards.”

Nelson said that it was important to have a depth at the running back position with different running styles.

“It’s super important,” Nelson said. “When you’re a run heavy team, if we get the run game going we open up the passing for the tight ends and wide receivers. Then, they slide us out to the slot, we can be versatile as a team.”

Coffield added that the offensive line up front has done good job of opening up the running lanes for them so far in practice, and the running back group as a whole believed it would carry over into the season.

“Teams are going to sleep on us,” junior running back Cobb said. “We’re going to show them something this year.”