The East Jackson Eagle football team took to the practice field over the last week in preparation for what it hopes will be another successful year of Eagles Football.
According to head coach Frank Caputo, about 110 kids signed up to take part in spring practice.
“I’m not sure that they’ve all been on the field, but we’ve been real close to it,” Caputo said.
Practice got under way last Wednesday.
“For a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we were pleased with the turnout and the attention that the kids have been giving us,” Caputo said. “For the first three days, we were really pleased with how they’ve been catching on.”
With the loss of about 22 seniors from last year’s roster, one of the goals is to find kids to fill those empty slots.
“We’re working at it and they’re working at it,” Caputo said. “It’s a diligent process. I think the kids are all excited and battling for a spot. Do we have any clear-cut guys that have stepped up yet? Not really.”
The excitement is evident from the kids as they practice on the field. Caputo said the key to maintaining that high energy level comes from his coaching staff.
“With the assistants that we have and the kids that we have, a lot of times it just exudes enthusiasm,” he said. “Our coaches are high-octane, high-energy guys with a lot of enthusiasm. It’s almost impossible for that not to be contagious. Plus, our kids for the most part know what we want done and how to practice. It’s been a good looking three days so far.”
Caputo said there’s been no specter of expectation from last season, which saw the Eagles go 10-2 overall, and 8-1 in the region while finishing second in 8-AA.
“We haven’t even mentioned it, to be honest,” Caputo said. “Starting in about January, we were working kids out in the mornings. The ones that we worked out from January until now figured that out quick a long time ago. We haven’t had much of that bleed-over.”
Caputo said the goal for their spring practice is pretty clear.
“Our goal is to carry every one of them through and be committed by the end of the spring,” he said.
Practice is slated to continue through Tuesday.
