Local high school football teams begin spring practice

Published 11:44 am Tuesday, May 7, 2019

DALTON, Ga. — The last play on the first day of Dalton High School’s spring football practice ended with a running back and a linebacker meeting head-on for a physical collision, and for coach Matt Land it couldn’t have ended any better.

“We like to end it with something physical,” Land said. “We like to end it by reminding ourselves that it’s football and not anything else.”

The Catamounts began two weeks of spring practice on Monday afternoon. Dalton will play its spring game at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at Harmon Field against Darlington.

All other area high school football teams begin their spring practice this week as well, as coaches begin to evaluate players for the upcoming season. Dalton ended the 2018 season with a record of 6-4, 4-4 in Region 6-6A. The Catamounts finished in fifth in the region, with the top four teams making the state playoffs, and Land said establishing a fresh mindset is one of his goals for this spring.

“Coming out of last season, it’s getting the taste out of your mouth of not having as successful a year as we wanted,” Land said. “But also it’s cultivating and finding out who your leaders are going to be. Not only who I’m going to depend on to be a leader, but who are the players going to depend on to be a leader. I don’t know if that isn’t the most important thing the more I’m in this.”

A number of former Catamounts were in attendance at Monday’s practice, along with dozens of fans who watched from atop the stands at the turf field behind the school. Coaches were heard telling players that starting positions are up for grabs, and as the practice grew more physical toward the end, the intensity level rose among the players. Several small scuffles broke out, including a large one following the final play, but Land told his players after practice that being physical is part of the sport.

Land said Dalton was forced to play a number of sophomores and juniors last season, and exposing those younger players to experience at the varsity level should pay dividends this year. Building depth is another one of Land’s goals for this spring.

“The table has been set, and now we need some guys to step up (as leaders),” he said. “It’s not gonna happen in one day, and it may not happen over spring, but I know with what we will put together over the summer, the cream will certainly rise to the top. We’ll find those guys.”