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J.J. Burns ran during an offensive drill during today’s first practice in pads for Snyder. Burns is a two-year starter at running back..
Snyder’s football team have waited for this day since it last took the field against Argyle in the Class 4A Division I playoffs in November.
After five non-contact practices, Snyder players were scheduled to put the pads at 8 a.m. today. It will be a long day for the players, starting with practice, followed by a photography session at noon and Meet the Tigers at 8 p.m.
“They are excited about the first practice in pads,” Snyder head coach Cory Mandrell said. “This is one of the highlights during the early season. It has been different this year with the new rules when players could wear shoulder pads on the fourth and fifth day and the first contact practice on the sixth day. Wearing shoulder pads for two days helped player adjust to catching and throwing the ball.”
Mandrell said a brief 11-on-11 scrimmage was planned this morning with a goal of players making the adjustment of hitting each other for the first time.
“We will not turn them completely loose on the first day of contact,” he said. “Our goal is to hit the other team, not ourselves. We will not be trying to hurt each other, but play physical, get to the ball carrier and wrap him up.”
Mandrell said the linemen will benefit the most from practicing in pads.
“The offensive line can play more physical and step into their blocks,” he said.
The team’s focus will be on the Idalou scrimmage at Tiger Stadium Friday.
“We already began planning for the scrimmage,” Mandrell said. “We can exploit Idalou’s weaknesses, learn our weaknesses and come back and prepare for the final scrimmage (against Slaton at home on Apri; 24). We will learn what areas need more work by watching the film.”
Mandrell said the players will watch the scrimmage film like game film.
“The coaches will not gripe players out, but use the film as a teaching tool,” he said. “We will correct them when they do something wrong while they see it on film.”
Mandrell said the practice schedule will change the next two weeks and be similar to the regular season.
“We will pull off and practice for a shorter time with four practices each week, instead of the three and a walk-through practice during the season,” he said. “It will be more like a game week between the Idalou and Slaton scrimmages.”
Mandrell said more work is ahead of the team before the Aug. 31 season opener at Littlefield.
“We have a big work week ahead,” he said. “All of the players have impressed us with how fast they are learning the offense and defense. We will look at some of the younger players who might help us out on varsity.”
Mandrell said one of the goals is to have as few players as possible playing both offense and defense. He said the coaching staff will have a better idea about that after the Slaton scrimmage.
“I would love to have 22 starters, so we can stay fresh throughout the game,” he said.