By Staff
Devils open spring football practice
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
FALKVILLE – Coming off a 3-7 season in 2003, Falkville head football coach Jeff Miller is optimistic about his team's prospects for this season.
He feels this spring of practice will be one of the factors making for a successful season in 2004.
"Confidence," Miller said. "That's the main thing I want to take out of spring practice.
"We were just a few injuries away from going 5-5 or 6-4 last year. We almost made the playoffs. One more region win and we would have been in the postseason. Our confidence was coming back last year and this spring will help it even more."
The Blue Devils will be changing regions this coming season. Falkville moves from 2A-Region 8 to 2A-Region 7. Falkville will join Cleveland, Cold Springs, Cordova, Holly Pond, Lamar County, Oakman and fellow Morgan County school Priceville.
"The travel will be a lot better," Miller said. "We used to play Holly Pond for years and maybe we can develop a rivalry with Priceville."
Miller expects the starting quarterback job to be a three-man race between Kevin Russell, Todd Russell and Bobby Holladay.
"They all three have good speed and good hands," Miller said. "Which two don't play quarterback will still be on the field with the offense. We'll find them a place to play."
On defense the Blue Devils will use their speed to disrupt plays.
"Our team speed is better than it has been in the past," Miller said. "We lack the size you would like to have but our lineman have quick feet and are more agile than some of the ones we've had in the past."
Miller thinks he has a stronger team than the one he put on the field last year.
"Some of the kids got serious in the weight room," Miller said. "It's helped the kids, you can see they're bigger than last season."
The Blue Devils have 20 returning letterman and 12 returning starters from last season.
Miller is looking for some of the senior starters to be team leaders this season.
"I want kids who led by example," Miller said. "Rah, Rah guys are usually not good leaders and I think we've got some seniors who can lead by example."
Due to graduation exams the Blue Devils will only practice 12 of the 15 days allowed for the spring by the state high school athletic association.
Miller hopes to end practice with a spring game, and is hoping to schedule one for the middle of May.
Editor's note – this is the first in a series of spring football updates. Look for other local teams in next week's paper.