Generals conclude spring with eyes on fourth consecutive playoff berth
After the most successful three-year run in program’s history, the Heritage Generals hit the field the past two weeks for spring practice in order to get a jump-start on the 2019 season.
Head coach E.K. Slaughter said some 80 players dressed out to go through drills, which culminated in an intrasquad scrimmage this past Friday night. More importantly, however, Slaughter said the 10 days gave his team a chance to work on what he called a “cultural reset” for the program.
“Our purpose for the spring this year was really to kind of re-establish who we are as a program and how we go about our business,” he explained. “I think we’ve done that. It’s not really been about specific positions. In our meetings (before spring practice) with our staff, we discussed very specifically that we weren’t really concerned with the football part of it. This was about kids and relationships and make sure they’re giving effort and that they understand what we want out of them. We’ve done some things in that area and it’s been good.”
“I’m sure we’ve learned a little bit of football, but they might forget about it by August,” Slaughter joked. “But it’s been good though. We’ve seen some a couple of kids that have shown some improvement that we think can be in the mix now when we weren’t sure if they could (beforehand), so it’s been a good two weeks. We’ve mostly stayed healthy. We’ve accomplished what we wanted to get accomplished and we’ve had a chance to evaluate some kids.”
While the Generals will have to replace several important senior leaders from last season’s state playoff squad, Slaughter said he “really liked” what he’s seen so far from the 2019 team.
“I like this group a lot,” he began. “A lot of them are sophomores that grew up into juniors. They’ve had really good off-seasons. Coach (David) Gibson and Coach (Logan) Lollis are killing it in the weight room with our guys. We’ve got some kids with new bodies out here got some kids with new minds out here. I feel really good about what we’ve got coming back.”
Heritage, who have recorded 22 wins and made three straight state playoff appearances in the past three seasons, will scrimmage at Bradley Central on Aug. 16 in anticipation of the season opener at LFO on Aug. 23. The Generals will open the home portion of their slate against Ringgold on Aug. 30.