PREP COUNTDOWN 2020: Friday provides coaches first look at team in pads

Scenes from the scrimmage held at Jeff Davis High School on Friday. The Volunteers are led by new head coach Rory Bell. (Graham Dunn)

By GRAHAM DUNN
New Jeff Davis coach Rory Bell watched as he put his team through its first scrimmage in pads on Friday.

Asked for his thoughts, he was coy with an answer.

“I don’t know yet,” Bell said with a smile. “I need to see the film before I make any grades.”

But that wasn’t the most important part of the day. Bell and all other coaches in the River Region were ready to see what the preparation in the last few weeks had done for full pads.

“I think they are just happy to get out there and play tackle football,” stated Bell, who took over the Vols’ program just a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m not too worried about the technical aspect. I am just glad to see them getting to hit. I think they are, too.”

Several teams in the River Region took advantage of the first day of full pads. Others, such as Park Crossing and new coach L.C. Cole plan a scrimmage on Saturday.

“We’ve got to see where we have improved and where we need the most work,” Cole said. “It’s too early to start making any major adjustments.”

Sidney Lanier coach Marvin Cunningham had the grill lit prior to the Poets’ scrimmage on Friday evening, getting ready for a post-scrimmage cookout. A controlled scrimmage answered a few questions ahead of the dinner.

“It’s about getting everyone on the right page,” Cunningham said. “How to get off the field, how to prepare prior to a game. I’m telling the young ones to be dressed before they go out. It’s a learning process that you can’t take for granted.”

The coaches were also chatting about rumors of whether or not Cramton Bowl would be available for the season. Cunningham said he had talked with city of Montgomery officials and learned there were no plans at this time to close the bowl to play.

“There was talk but from what I understand, they decided we could follow the protocols that have been laid out,” he said.  “I know the games that first weekend (AHSAA Kickoff Challenge) were important so that probably helped us.”

Both Lanier and Jeff Davis are also waiting word on where the two will open the season. Cunningham said the game with JD had been scheduled to be played at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Alabama State.

But due to COVID-19 issues, the game is expected to be moved.

Cunningham was still waiting to see what options were available but he was hoping Cramton Bowl would be open on Saturday, Aug. 22. There were no scheduled games on that date.

“There are still a few things to work out but we are hoping to know something soon,” he said.

Most schools open the season on the weekend of Aug. 20-21.