The Newton County Academy football got in its first full week of practice under new head football coach Stevie Nelson.
The Generals wrapped up the week on Friday after a tough week of brutal temperatures.
“The week was going well until Friday,” Nelson said. “I thought we were sluggish on Friday. There was lots of mental and physical fatigue. Hopefully these two days off over the weekend will recharge their batteries. But I thought it was a good week overall and hopefully we will have another good week.”
Nelson said he spent a majority of the week working on the offense.
“I would definitely have to say that the offense was ahead because we have spent more time on the offensive side,” Nelson said. “But we will get back to being more 50-50 this upcoming week because they are now more familiar with the terminology and what they are doing on offense. On defense, you have to be hard-nosed and run to the football.”
With the Generals moving to eight-man football, Nelson said he is having to adjust to having three less players on the field.
“When you go to thinking you are going to split out two receivers, it makes a short corner when you try to run the football,” Nelson said. “That’s something that I have to get used to. The defense can get to the running back pretty quick. We are just going to keep on doing what we do and try to get better at execution. Whether it’s running or throwing, we have to get better at our base stuff. We have to get better at that before we can add some wrinkles to our offense.”
Nelson said the players don’t really care whether it’s eight-man or 11-man football.
“They are treating it just like it’s football and that’s what they want to do,” Nelson said. “They just want to play football. All that matters to them is that they are playing high school football. They are just glad to be able to play football.”
The Generals will kick off the season on Aug. 20 as they take on Calhoun Academy. NCA starts school on Monday, Aug. 9.
