Russellville ready for start of fall practice

By Staff
Scot Beard
With summer workouts behind them, members of the Russellville football team are eager to begin fall practice Monday.
There are many more expectations for this year's squad than there were last year, but the team has not let all of the talk change the way it is approaching the season.
"It's not different," Tanner Steele said about the way the players worked this summer compared to last summer.
The players know the difficulties going into this year, especially on the offensive line where All-State player Stratt Byars, Chase Woods and Bradley Franklin were lost to graduation.
Justin Esquivel, who started on the line last year, will make the move to left tackle. He will be responsible for protecting quarterback Joey Howe's blind side, but he said he isn't worried about the move.
Jonas Boyles said there is only one way for the Golden Tigers to repeat what they accomplished last year.
"We have to keep our heads on straight and work harder than last year," Boyles said.
The offensive linemen, and the rest of the team, will begin their preparation for the season Monday when the state allows teams to begin fall practice.
Many players are eager to show that last year was not a fluke. Other players are ready to get into pads and start contact drills.
"I'm looking forward to hitting (defensive lineman) Aaron Hollingsworth and putting him on his back," Boyles joked.