Ramblers, Panthers hit the field for spring drills
The chirping of afternoon birds was interrupted by the popping of pads in Walker County last week as the Lafayette Ramblers and the Ridgeland Panthers began spring football practice.
Both teams have spring games scheduled to close out the period. Lafayette will travel to face North Murray on Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m., while Ridgeland will welcome in Murray County for a scrimmage on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
The Ramblers are in their third year of spring drills under the leadership of head coach Andy Scott, who said one of the biggest changes in that span has been in terms of numbers.
“It’s taken us about three years to get the numbers where we want them,” he explained. “The first year we were here we had about 50. Last year, we had close to 80 or 85, and right now we’re at 104, so we’re technically able to run two practices at once and get kids as many reps as humanly possible. It’s been really big.”
Scott said said there was plenty of work done in the offseason as the Ramblers are looking to get back to the playoffs after falling short with a 3-7 overall mark in 2022.
“Really from Day 1 (of spring), we’ve been able to do what we would normally do in the fall,” he said. “Instead of the old-school scrimmage every day (routine), we’re lining up and working on the base offense and defense and just geting better at playing football. That’s really been a big focus.”
Scott added that his players have continue to make strides in areas off the field as well.
“We’ve made an effort to not only get stronger in the offseason, but we’ve made getting faster one of our big focuses,” he added. “We’re starting every practice with speed training and conditioning for about the first 20 minutes and then it’s nothing but football after that.”
Back up Highway 27 in Rossville, second-year head coach Craig
FOOTBALL, B4