IN SHORT: After a small turnout during the opening week of practice, the numbers have doubled for NP during week two.
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
North Pulaski’s football team didn’t go full pads until Tuesday, but did get some good news when practice resumed Monday morning. After spending the first two days of two-a-day football practice (the Falcons didn’t start until Thursday) with only 19 players, a few more dropped in to participate Monday and Tuesday.
Monday’s practice consisted of 45 Falcons, and according to head coach Tony Bohannon, there are more to come.
“We’re expecting about 55 total,” Bohannon said. “We just have some kids that go out of state for the summer, and a few that still haven’t gotten their physicals, but when they all get here we should be in pretty good shape as far as numbers go.”
Another good sign from the NP camp is the conditioning of the players when they reported.
There has been very little trouble with the heat and hustle has been good.
“For the most part they were in fairly good shape when they got here,” Bo-hannon said. “We had pretty good participation in summer workouts and seven on seven, and it shows. Hopefully that will teach them that it does help.”
Week one brought a new quarterback prospect into the mix as well. Junior Melvin Tanner has joined Michael Fleschman as the potential starter under center.
Tanner didn’t play his sophomore year, but brings good size and a strong arm to the position.
Fleschman, a sophomore, has been the leading candidate through spring and most of the summer, but he is also one of the team’s best receivers, and could be of great use in that position if Tanner works out at QB.
“There’s still nothing decided,” Bohannon said. “It’s between those two, but we’ve got a lot of time to see who fits in best and where. They’re both going to be taking snaps that’s for sure.”
The Falcons still don’t have a place kicker, but Bohannon expects one of his dual-sport soccer players to fill that gap, although it’s not certain at this point.
“We’ve got one soccer player out here that I think will be able to handle that ok,” Bohannon said. We’ll just have to see how that goes. We’re not sure right now.”
One thing North Pulaski will have to do is grow up quickly through two-a-days.
Sophomores make up nearly half the roster, and many will be counted on to contribute in starting roles when the first Friday night arrives.
“We’re definitely young,” Bohannon said. “We’re going to have a very small senior class, but that may be a blessing.”
