Monday marks a new beginning for the Rockdale Tigers when they march onto the practice field later that afternoon.
“Well, we’re all really excited,” said Jeff Miller Rockdale High School head football coach and athletic director. “Those first two or three days of practice remind you why you do what you are doing.
“The excitement, the energy, there’s just nothing like it.”
Miller was also complimentary about how his players handled business over the summer vacation.
“This offseason was excellent,” Miller said. “It was one of the best ones we’ve had since I’ve been here.
“A lot of our guys showed up every day and I’ve seen so much progress from those guys that have been here. We’ve had some people that chose not to make it out for our workouts but all in all, since Dec. 1, it’s been a great offseason.”
Rockdale finished the 2018 season with a record of 7-4 and third in District 10-3A before ending their season with a close loss to eventual Class 3A-DI state champion Grandview.
“We left a little bit on the table last year,” Miller said. “So I think our guys are coming out extra motivated.”
Although the Tigers lost 10 starters to graduation, they have a lot of returning players from last year. Starting quarterback Jace Robinson is back after throwing for 1,680 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore season and his top target senior wide receiver Ross Loth who led RHS with 564 receiving yards.
Juniors Kesean Raven and Cam’Ron Valdez will also be back on the gridiron for the Tigers. Raven is a dual-threat for RHS who had a combined total of 789 receiving and rushing yards last season. Valdez led the Tigers in the back field in 2018 with 1,166 yards on 171 carries.
PRACTICE—From Monday, Aug. 5, through Friday, Aug. 9, the big blue will practice from 4:30-8 p.m. Tiger Coaches will issue equipment to players on Monday morning. Seniors pick up their equipment from 9-10 a.m., juniors from 10-11 a.m., and sophomore and freshmen from 11-12 p.m.
MILANO—The Milano Eagle football team also begins practicing on Monday, Aug 5. All players are asked to report to the field-house by 7:30 a.m., and will practice until 11 a.m.
MHS has their first scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 22, at home with Anderson-Shiro. Eight days later on Friday, Aug. 30, the maroon and gold will face the Grapeland Sandies in their home opener.
THORNDALE—The Thorndale Bulldogs will practice from 7-9 a.m., Monday through Saturday and the following Monday and Tuesday before school begins.
“These guys had a good offseason and made some great gains,” said Scott Hawkins, THS head football coach and athletic director. “We have a great deal of talent.
“But we need the injury bug to stay far away.”
THS has their first scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 16, in Centerville and play their first game two weeks later on Friday, Aug. 30, against Florence.
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