With the summer halfway gone, local teams are using their flex-days to get in some basics to refresh last season’s players, and those new to the gridiron.

Veteran Coach Mike Flannery steps onto the field to begin his 47th year leading teams into fall’s much anticipated event, Pilot Football.

Players understand that high school athletic programs are not just undertaken during the upcoming season, they realize working out in the gym and strength building athletic programs help to keep them in shape. Off season conditioning helps to prevent injuries and better prepare with physical conditioning.

The official season will begin in August, and at that point Coach Flannery and his staff will begin in earnest running plays and preparing defenses for the game.

“It’s about agility and basics in how to step into a play, how to stop and start from scrimmage. Agility drills, ball handling, and weight room are what players should be working on at this point in the preseason. Right now it is the little things that are important. Concentrate on foot placements and proper stance. Don’t give way your intentions as a runner. By August we need to be learning plays and defense, not how to hold onto the ball or set your feet,” stated Coach Flannery.

About thirty players are working out in the July heat. Vacations and summer jobs affect who turns out to work on the field.

“Last year we graduated 10 seniors. This year we have ten seniors, fifteen juniors and sophomores. At this point we only have three freshmen out for the team.”

When Flannery was asked about his key ball handler this year, he said, “We have two that have the skills to be in that position, Cam Abbot and Trey Larrick. Both have the skills. Our line only lost one player, so we should be strong up front going both ways.”

With the same coaching staff, and key upfront players returning, Flannery sees the season as positive, and getting off to a good start.