Michael Young - Sports Editor

BHHS Hawks watch as BHHS head football coach David Berry, right, demonstrates blocking techniques.

Michael Young - Sports Editor

BHS head football coach Joey Still talks to the team during a water break.

Michael Young - Sports Editor

BHS returning center, Trey Stiill, takes a break with teammates.

CLICK THUMBNAILS TO VIEW

There was a feeling of autumn in the atmosphere last week as area football players donned jerseys, pants and pads for spring drills.

For local teams as well as teams regionally, the start of spring practice will be the first step of many more that will come between now and the start of the 2009 season which begins in mid-August.

In the Devils Den, it was plenty of repititions for majority of the players returning from last season Upper State championship squad.

The offensive will be on the shoulder of rising junior quarteback Tamyrn Garrick. Garrick will have a solid cast which includes returners Quantel Mack, Michael Wallace, Rookem Williams, Dexter Staley, Marcus Bates and Kendrick Salley.

Williston-Elko High head football coach Dwayne Garrick said unlike the first couple of years, now the players now what expected of them.

"Our returners now know what kind of pace we are looking for in practice and that makes things run more smoothly," Garrick said. "We made some huge strides last season, but I believe this group is still hungry. They came out ready to get to work. We are expecting to have some great workouts over the next few days and throughout the summer."

Garrick said the team will continud a scheduled weightroom workout during the season. The team will also participate in organized passing camps with other teams.

For the Barnwell High Warhorses, more than 50 players showed up for the first day of workouts.

Barnwell High entereeed spring drills with some questions, especially on the offensive line where three starters had departed.

Barnwell High School head coach Joey Still said the team must find a way to fill in the missing parts.

"We lost some key players from last year's team, but I'm confident that the players we have are capable of stepping in and doing a good job," Still said. "Right now, we're shuffling some players around on the offensive line. We have players like Jacob Bridgmon, Bubba Keith and Will Rimes who have looked good so far though the workouts."

For the third year in a row, Barnwell High will have another signal caller as Antwan Hiers takes over for Ty Carroll.

Hiers played quarterback sparingly last season, he was used primarily as a running back and kick returner.

An area of little concern for Still is in the backfield where 1,800 yard rusher Colby Carter returns. Joining Carter will be returners, Corwin Roberts, Dakota Priester, Terry Williams and Willie Williamson.

"I feel really about our backfield because we have good depth with our best back Colby Carter returning," Still said
"Colby Carter will be our leader again. Colby Carter is an outstanding runner. He is what makes us go on offense."

Still said for the first time in school history, the team will hold a spring football scrimmage. The game will be played June 6 at W.W. Carter Field at 6 p.m.

"I think this game just gives us as coaches a good look at the players. It helps us evaluate them better in a game-type setting," said Still.

In the Hawks Nest, it was back to work for the Blackville-Hilda High players after a 12-1 campaign last season which included a region title. There were 43 players on hand for May 18 opening day of drills for head coach David Berry.

Like Barnwell High, Blackville-Hilda High enter drills with holes to fill, especially on the offense side of the ball.

Offensively for the Hawks, Berry must find a replacement for three-time 1,000-yard rusher Joe Thomas. The offensive line is also a priority with only one starter returning.

"Players come and go in this business. Its up to us as coaches to get the next group ready to play," Berry said. "We lost a lot of quality players. However, no one is going to feel sorry for us. We have to get the players we have here ready to play."

However, the leader of the offense returns with quarterback Chris Kearse at the helm for the third year in a row.
Others key returners include Jamell Dukes, Desmond Armstrong, Ronnie Thomas, Larry Johnson, Javon Dukes, Jessie Dukeees, Brenton Holiday and Logan Beasley.