While the MHSAA schools are still waiting to start fall practices, the area’s private schools are off and running.
Both Winona Christian and Carroll Academy kicked off their fall practices this past week, starting last Monday.
Here’s a look at how the week went for each team.
Winona Christian
The Stars practiced twice a day last week as they opened fall football.
Coach Ken Chandler, who is returning to Winona Christian after coaching at Jackson Academy last year, is optimistic after a week of practice.
“When I took this job, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot,” Chandler said. “When I took the job, we wanted to build and try to be competitive and still have an 11-man team, which was questionable. But we have had a good summer and good participation at summer workouts.”
Chandler said the players have responded well.
“They came out and went to work and tried to get better,” Chandler said. “I thought we had a great week of practice. We are still having some issues getting some kids there, but that was the only knock I would have on the first week.”
Chandler said he split the day in two, with the morning session being mainly drill work and the afternoon being special teams, weightlifting and conditioning.
“I was pleased with the turnout,” Chandler said. “We are working 29 kids right now. Nineteen of those are 10th through 12th grade, and that was a lot more than we thought when I took the job. We are working with 10 ninth graders that will play their six quarters so there are some depth pieces there.”
Chandler said this week would go back to one-a-day practices in the afternoon. School starts on Aug. 10 while teachers report on Aug. 8.
The Stars will travel to Bay Springs and take on Sylva Bay in a controlled scrimmage on Friday starting at 5 p.m. The team will not play in a jamboree the next week and will open the regular season as they host rival Carroll Academy on Aug. 19.
Carroll Academy
The Rebels started fall practice last week with what coach Bo Milton called a crisp, fast-paced practice.
“I thought it went really good,” Milton said. “I thought it was really smooth, you could tell that we have experience in some key areas. Those five skill guys carried practice every day, and the other guys just fell into place. They have had a great attitude and got in there and worked hard. We got out there and worked hard and had one hour and 45-minute practice and got out of there.”
This week, the Rebels will shift to an afternoon practice as teachers meet and school begins on Aug. 8.
“I just thought our effort was really good,” Milton said. “When you have a lot of three-year starts in spots, they just go out and get it done. They picked up on some new things we put in this week and ran with that. We have preached attitude because it’s hot on everybody. Just have a good attitude and work hard for two hours, and it will go by fast, and that’s what they have done.”
The Rebels will scrimmage this week as they travel to Bayou on Friday at 5 p.m.
The following week, the Rebels will play in the Tri-County Academy jamboree where they will take on Riverfield and Central Hinds.
