Practices for all varsity football programs in the state of Michigan, including Brandon and Goodrich, were scheduled to start Monday, Aug. 8.
However, both the Blackhawks and Martians have put in plenty of work during the offseason to get in shape. With the season scheduled to get underway later this month, both programs will fine-tune their game plans to get ready.
Here is a look at how both teams have spent their offseasons:
Brandon:
Coach Ron Gill, entering his third year at the helm of Brandon’s football program, believes the team has improved their conditioning and understanding of what it takes to succeed.
The Blackhawks, who finished last season 3-6 overall and 2-7 in the Flint Metro League, began their summer program as soon as the 2004-05 school year came to an end.
Gill said the team participated in a 7-on-7 passing clinic at Atwood Stadium in Flint, and has competed in 7-on-7 scrimmages against Grand Blanc, Davison, Flint Powers, Flint Central, and Flint Northern.
In addition, the team has been in the weight room four times per week, and has spent Thursdays working on skill practice and conditioning.
All that work has led to a much better-conditioned roster, Gill said.
‘I think we’re in a lot better condition than we were a year ago,? he said. ‘This group of young men has a good work ethic and an excellent attitude. We’re very impressed with this group and looking forward to getting into the season.?
Once practice officially gets underway, Gill said it will be a matter of fine-tuning and working on specific situations in preparation for the Blackhawks? Aug. 26 opener, when they host Millington.
‘We’ll go back and start reviewing fundamentals,? he said. ‘The great thing about the summer work is you have the offense and defense in place. We just completed our third summer program. We’ll spend time on drill work and execution of plays, and we’ve picked the pace up in terms of conditioning.?
Gill said there are currently 51 players on the Blackhawks? roster. Key returning players are: Daryl Goodrich, Nick Toreli, Matt Collier, Zach LaFlamme, Marcus Pesavento, and Owen Shoemaker.
Goodrich:
After a record-setting season that saw the Martians go 10-2 and advance to the Division 5 regional finals, it was back to work for Goodrich as they prepared for this season.
‘We’ve had weight training since the end of last season, and we’ve been in four different passing leagues against other schools,? Goodrich coach Tom Alward said.
In addition, the Goodrich coaches worked with position players on an additional basis. This week, the Martians were scheduled to head to Port Sanilac for their first three days of practice, leaving the evening of Sunday, Aug. 7, and returning Wednesday, Aug. 10.
The Martians started the previous two seasons practicing in Port Sanilac, Alward said.
‘We get a lot done there,? he said. ‘The biggest thing is it gets us off to a good start for the season as far as building team unity is concerned.?
Alward said he expects about 32-33 players to suit up for the Martian varsity this season. Goodrich opens their 2005 season on the road Aug. 26 at Richmond, then head home Sept. 2 for a game against John Glenn.
Key returning players this year, Alward said, are A.J. Harmon, Joe Leppek, Bennett Gillam, Scott Edwards, and Eric Hughes.