HUNTINGTON -- Spring Valley and Wayne football teams began two-a-day practices Monday with teams eager to get on the field.
While some teams head straight to the field to open preseason practice, Spring Valley had a meeting.
Brad Dingess replaced Don Money as head coach and presented a new philosophy to the Timberwolves. Last season Spring Valley went 4-6.
Spring Valley had 58 sophomores, juniors and seniors participate in the first two days of practice. Dingess anticipates another 35 to 40 freshmen joining later.
"The kids are really upbeat around here and all of them are working really hard," Dingess said. "In the meeting we went over all the new terminology, because we are starting from scratch on offense and defense."
Spring Valley is concentrating on basic fundamentals of the new system. Dingess said he's building from the bottom up.
"Everyone just has to get on the same page and learn quickly," he said. 'It was a long summer to sit through and I'm just excited for the season to begin."
During Monday's practice Spring Valley worked on defense. On Tuesday the focus switched to offense.
Spring Valley has a friendly quarterback competition between Evan Ferguson and Kevin Lawrence, and Lawrence is also getting a look at running back. The running game will be anchored by senior speedster Terry Kipp.
Wayne always has high expectations, and this year appears to be no different. After coming off a 12-1 record and an appearance in the Class AA semifinals the Pioneers are ready to make a run at the state title.
But, before Wayne jumps headfirst into the playbook the Pioneers will be focused on ironing out the little things that count. Coach Tommy Harmon is all to familiar with what it takes to build a championship team after Wayne took the title in 2006.
"We always start from ground zero this time of year," Harmon said. "You have a little bit of time to make sure you're doing the basics right and as you get closer to the first game you start adding steps and getting more technical."
Harmon said during the first two days of practice the team focused on the basics of the offense, defense and kicking game.
Wayne returns two of its top players in senior quarterback Joey Ferguson and senior fullback Jason Thompson.
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