Blackhawk football players -- junior and senior high -- will work through the summer enhancing their skills and endurance.
Head football coach Stephen Neal expressed enthusiasm about the players and community.
"I love it so far," Neal said, "and I'm sure I'll continue loving it.
"Pea Ridge and the community -- the teams reflect the community -- are very hardworking. There is a great work ethic among the players on the team. That's easily seen by how they play," Neal said after last week's scrimmage.
"As with any scrimmage, our number one priority and goal was to get out without any injuries. We did that. We got a lot of good work out of it. It gives us a litmus test, helping us see what we need to do specifically.
"So, there's a lot of improvement. We also recognized things we have to work on. It gives us a game plan going into practices," Neal said. "We came out of scrimmages with good performances on both ends."
"The coaches were really impressed with the kids!" he said.
The coaching staff includes Crosby Tuck, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator; Lafe Caton, defensive coordinator and inside linebacker; Matt Easterling, running back and defensive back; Josh Reynolds, outside linebacker and special teams; John E. King and Nathan Clayton, junior high; and Cody Alexander, junior high head coach and varsity wide receiver.
There are 77 players on the Blackhawks senior high roster and the team has averaged 65 players at spring practices.
"The roster is a fluid document," he said, adding that he hopes to have it finalized by August.
Beginning June 6, eighth- through 12th-graders practiced Monday through Thursday mornings.
Junior high Blackhawk coach Cody Alexander took his team to a team camp in Bentonville.
Senior high players played 7-7 every Tuesday night through June at Bentonville High School, Neal said.
Both Cole Wright and Jakota Sainsbury are "excellent players" and "we'll want them on the field at the same time," Neal said of his wide receiver and quarterback.
Sports on 07/20/2016