All of the local high school football teams held their annual spring practices which culminated in scrimmages. Here are the comments from the local and area coaches about their team's performance in their respective scrimmages.
"I was very pleased with our performance last night. We are a team that is extremely physical. We have a special group player in Conner Magee. Our offensive line is big and physical. Jacob Crain displayed great poise and athleticism. I truly believe a special season is in the future for us. The summer lifting and conditioning is big and we need to take the momentum from last night and carry it over to our summer training. Great football teams work hard in June, July, and August."
--Franklinton coach Nick Saltaformaggio
"We are excited about this team that is returning for the 2024 season. We had a great spring training working on fundamentals and installing our schemes for next season. We finished up with a joint practice with 5A power Copiah Academy. It was an instructional scrimmage for both teams where we coached players up during the scrimmage. We saw a lot of great things to build on and of course we saw several things that we need to correct. That's what a spring scrimmage is for to identify weaknesses and correct them before the season begins. I Love the chemistry of this team. I want to thank our community for the support on our trail to the State Championship game last season and encourage them to please continue to support our young men as we begin a new chapter. We will begin our summer workouts on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Our summer will be filled with strength training, conditioning, 7 on 7, and Speed training."
--Bowling Green coach Jason Johnson
"I thought it was a productive spring for us. I thought we looked good yesterday against St Helena. It was a tie 7-7. Our quarterback threw the ball well. DJ Garrett had our touchdown on a long pass. We still have work to do but I like where we are."
---Pine coach Bradley Seal
"I was looking to be more physical and I felt like we were. I tried two kids out at quarterback, Josh Fox and Will Hardge, and I thought they both played well. Should be a good competition until season starts and competition is a good thing. Defensively we caused some turnovers and were more physical so I was pleased with that as well. We need some more depth and we need to get in better shape because we are having to start kids both ways but we just have to keep grinding and working. Our kids have a good attitude this year and that goes a long way. I think we have a chance to surprise some people and I'm happy with what we have accomplished in this year's spring."
--Varnado coach Adam Brumfield
"I think our scrimmage was very productive, we seen a lot we need to work on to be where we want to be come august. There were some high points, one being our defense played very solid for a group that only returned 1 starter. On offense we ran the ball effectively and threw it ok. The reps this group can get going into the season the better we are going to be. We just have to grow together as a team."
----Bens Ford coach Destin Pittman
"We are very pleased with the outcome of our spring practices and scrimmage. We got a look at a lot of guys in a lot of positions which is important for developing depth and are excited about the future. Our guys competed hard in the scrimmage and now we know where we are as a team and what areas we need to work on heading into summer workouts."
---Central Private coach Cole Holden
"Kudos to South Plaquemines, Salmen and Loranger for coming and participating. Got some really good work with all of our kids in different sessions. For us defensively, got some holes to fill particularly in the secondary and still preaching alignment/assignment because we are extremely young over there. Offensively, our run game is still a work in progress but Jeremy Franklin at quarterback and the wide receiver core connected all day so bright spot there. We will gear up for summer ball now."
---- Amite coach Zephaniah Powell
"We won the game 16-13. I thought were physical on offense and showed improvement on defense. We had over 200 yards in the half and Tashod Badon led the way over 120 yds rushing. Sean Jenkins caught a 53 yd touchdown pass from Braydon Hutchinson."
---Pearl River coach Eric Collins
