Bulldogs start practice with three new coaches

Victor Urquidi and Alan Castaneda practiced handing off the ball during the Decatur Football Team's practice on Monday. Practice with full pads is scheduled to begin Thursday, and the first game of the season will be on Sept. 3.

Victor Urquidi and Alan Castaneda practiced handing off the ball during the Decatur Football Team's practice on Monday. Practice with full pads is scheduled to begin Thursday, and the first game of the season will be on Sept. 3.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

— Decatur's junior- and senior-high football teams began season practice on Monday, with three new coaches.

Monday served as a learning day for both players and coaches, according to head coach Shane Holland.

“They have to learn our terminology and we have tolearn about them,” he said.

The boys practiced for more than two hours with Holland, John Unger - defensive coach - and Davey Jones - lineman coach.

About 17 students attended practice, but Holland said he expected more once school begins.

Monday would have marked the beginning of two-a-day practices but with temperatures soaringabove the 100 degree mark, Holland decided to only hold practices in the mornings. Holland said he plans to work on conditioning and fundamentals as the team and coaches get to know each other.

The team will begin practicing with pads on Thursday, and the first game of the season will be a home game against Tahlequah’s Junior Varsity on Sept. 3.

Sports, Pages 7 on 08/03/2011