Generals getting work in

By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
July 8, 2004
DECATUR First-year head coach Dennis McCann has his Newton Academy football team in training as they prepare for the upcoming 2004 football season.
"They are coming in at different times, but the participation has been good," McCann said. "The field house is opened Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and we are staying busy."
McCann said that he is averaging 18 varsity players and 19 junior high players daily. Workouts include weight training, running and speed drills.
"We are missing two or three varsity players right now, but we know where they are," McCann said.
Those varsity players who are coming in regularly include senior fullback Joseph Buckley, senior guard James Hattaway, junior tackle Kaleb Rice, senior halfback Lee Blackburn, sophomore tackle Dan Stevenson, senior tackle Josh Mixon, senior linebacker Truitt Pace and junior center Jarred McElhenney.
"This team will have good senior leadership and team speed," McCann said. "That's a pretty good combination."
The Generals are gearing up for a tough 10-game schedule that opens on the road Aug. 20 at Hebron.
They play their home opener Aug. 27 against Leake Academy, and then visit Kemper on Sept. 3. Newton Academy then hosts Central Academy of Macon on Sept. 10, visits CM&I on Sept. 17, and then hosts defending Class A champion Heidelberg Academy on Sept. 24. Following a trip to Sylva-Bay Academy on Oct. 1, the Generals celebrate homecoming Oct. 8 against Rebul Academy. They then close out the season with a home game against Wayne Academy on Oct. 15, and a road game against Calhoun on Oct. 22.
McCann is being assisted by Malcomb Phillips and Dan Stevenson.