The Newton County Academy Generals kicked off the Stevie Nelson era this week with a pair of practices on Monday, July 25.
Nelson, who is also the school’s new headmaster, said he was pleased with the turnout as the school transitions to eight-man football for the next two seasons. Nelson said he had 13 varsity players out and 12 junior high players out.
“I thought it went fine,” Nelson said. “You know there are going to be some mistakes. But we had 100 percent participation and the kids did what we asked. I was pleased with the turnout and the effort during practice. We have to learn what we can do well.”
Nelson said it was a learning process for both sides on Monday.
“We are trying to learn as coaches what we are capable of doing,” Nelson said. “And the kids are learning how I want things done. We worked a lot on the running game with a little bit of passing involved. If we can’t do the little things, we will never be able to do the big things. We just have to take baby steps and spoon feed them for a bit and add stuff as we go. We have four full weeks before we play a game and lots of stuff to do and put in. We just have to be fundamentally sound on our base run and pass plays.
The Generals will kick off the season on Aug. 20 as they host Calhoun Academy. The Generals will not play in a scrimmage or jamboree this season.
“No one has contacted me about doing anything,” Nelson said. “To be honest, we are opening on Aug. 20 and that’s early enough for me. We play one game and then have Christian Collegiate in a district game the next week.”
Nelson also said that NCA has added a game at the end of the season on Thursday, Oct. 21 with the Mississippi School for the Deaf, making the trip to Jackson. MSD will make the return trip next year, Nelson added.
