By Kyle Roberts
Armed with helmets and mesh jerseys, the Ruston High School Bearcats took to James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium Monday for summer workouts, with the weather offering its full cooperation by keeping the sun at bay behind a clouded sky.
Bearcat head football coach Jerrod Baugh was very pleased with how the first day went for his football squad as the regular season is just a few weeks away.
“I thought today went really well,” Baugh said. “Of course, I think the weather helped. A lot of the younger kids are trying to figure out which direction to run in, what drill to go to, especially with 150 guys out here. But overall I thought they all handled it really well.”
Ruston will be out on the field for all the way through Thursday of this week, working on conditioning and getting the kids into a routine before starting in full pads next week.
“Right now, we’re sticking with what we’ve been doing all summer,” Baugh said. “We came out and did some individual work, then group work, and then full team work. We added special teams today.
“We continue to lift weights, and this week we’re adding meetings to it; we haven’t really had meetings or watched video this summer, so they’ll have the chance to do that tomorrow.”
From a positions perspective, Baugh said that everybody is still competing with each other for spots, even if the depth chart is starting to crystalize.
“There’s a handful that are probably battling, but it’s been that way for the spring and summer,” Baugh said. “Competition is always good. It keeps people on their toes and executing.”
Baugh has said repeatedly this summer that his veteran group of players are stepping up and setting the example for the younger players. Even if some of the positions are set, the experienced group of players are not approaching that with complacency.
“It sure makes things easier,” Baugh said. “Whenever your best players are your best leaders, they show things by example.
“That’s what makes the best teams.”
