Hurricanes Start Spring Football

The Monticello High School football team returned to the practice field Monday as the Purple Hurricanes took part in the first of 10 spring practice sessions.

For Rydell Jackson, who is entering his second season as head coach of the program, there are some clear objectives for the two-weeks of on-the-field work.

“We want to find out who wants to compete,” the coach said. “On offense we are going to install our base plays including our core running and passing sets.”

The MHS coaching staff is also using spring to get new players to the varsity program accustomed to what they will experience this summer and fall.

“We want everyone to be on the same page,” Jackson said.

On the defensive side of the football Jackson said he wants his players to “fly around the football” and to carry that mentality over to the 2019 season. Creating turnovers will also be a big emphasis for the Canes.

The Georgia High School Association allows two days in full gear followed by a day in shorts and helmets. That rotation will continue throughout the two weeks of on-the-field spring work.

Approximately 50 players turned out for the opening of spring practice, a number Jackson said he was pleased with.

“We are going to use spring to build team unity,” Jackson said. “That is very important to us.”

MHS finished 5-5 in the regular season in 2018 and qualified for the state playoffs. Jackson said the goal of the players and coaches for the upcoming season will be to move up in the region standings and to get back to the state playoffs.