Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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July 31, 2010

School workouts begin Monday

Two-a-day practices set to start for football, volleyball players across the state

Jayson Larson The Athens Review

ATHENS — School isn’t officially set to start for a couple more weeks, but for student athletes across the state, class is about to be in session.

On Monday, high school football and volleyball players can begin preseason workouts, according to University Interscholastic League rules. The UIL regulates high school athletics in Texas.

In Athens, practices will begin at 8 a.m. Monday morning on the football field and last through 1 p.m., with breaks built in between, according to Head Football Coach/Athletic Director Paul Essary.

“We’re really excited to get going,” Essary said. “I told our parents Thursday night that it’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about football season the way I am now. I think the kids are excited, and I think the people in the community are getting excited.”

Football pads for contract drills will be issued Friday, Aug. 6.

Two area schools — Eustace and Mabank — will be looking to make the postseason at a lower classification. The UIL moved Eustace to the 2A classification and Mabank to the 3A classification during realignment in February.

The first scrimmage for most area schools is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 14.

On Sunday, Essary will host a Mother’s Tea at 2 p.m. at the High School Cafetorium.

Volleyball players will also hit the courts Monday, and they have little time to prepare before facing live action.

Players in Athens report Monday, going through two-a-day workouts Monday through Friday and then playing their first scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 7, against Mexia.

The Lady Hornets’ first regular season home game is set for Aug. 10 against North Forney.

Athens will have a new head coach in Timmi Blackshear, who comes to the district from Woodsboro ISD, near the Texas Gulf Coast.

It will be Blackshear’s first head coaching job. She replaces Tosha Spain, who was hired last year to become Trinity Valley Community College’s first-ever volleyball coach.

“I know a lot of times coaches don’t know what they’re walking into, but I know Tosha had a really good program going here,” Blackshear said. “I great for me to inherit a program going in the right direction, and I get to just build on that.”

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