MPSA schools gear up for football season

By By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
July 31, 2004
Area MPSA teams strapped on the helmets and laced up the cleats for another year of football as practice began earlier this week.
After working out all summer, teams were finally able to get practice started.
Gartman, who was defensive coordinator for Lamar's MPSA Class 3A Division II State Championship team last year, is now the head coach at Clarkdale.
Lamar got the preseason started with morning practices starting on Monday. According to Barnes, the weeks before the season will be time for the team to work on getting as many players ready to play as possible.
Kemper Academy will get its practice started on Monday and according to coach Pete McCleskey the Rams will ease their way into the pads.
According to Barnes, the Raiders will also work there way into the hitting drills.
The teams also don't want to have any heat-related injuries and will work there way into the full workouts.
Kemper Academy will also take precautions to prevent problems in the heat.
The MPSA teams will fight the heat and try to avoid early injuries to prepare for the season which will begin Aug. 20.