Lee coach Larry Ware welcomes several ninth graders to the Generals’ first practice on Monday. Freshmen become part of city high school football programs this season. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(August 2, 2010)

The 2010 high school football season will be ushered in with pre-season drills this week. With it comes the usual heat, humidity and two-a-days.

For three Class 6A teams in Montgomery, it brings something new…. freshmen football players.

For the first time since the inception of the city junior high football program in the 1940s, three city high schools - Robert E. Lee, Jeff Davis and Sidney Lanier – will dress out a full complement of ninth graders for football practice (G.W. Carver already had access to junior high players through the link with its junior high school).

The change comes after the city of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department handed over control of ninth-grade football to the high schools as part of a cost-cutting measure.

“We should have about 30 or so out,” said JD coach Travis Pearson. “It’s different but exciting. We are looking forward to working with them.”

Gone are the ninth grade football teams at schools such as Goodwyn, Brewbaker and Capitol Heights. Enter JV teams for the Generals, Poets and Volunteers.

“It will be good for our program,” Lee coach Larry Ware, who was a product of the junior high program, playing at Capitol Heights before starring at Lee. “We like the idea of having the players on the campus. It might mean more expense in getting them dressed, we’ll do what is necessary to make it happen.”

Ware said he expects 40 or so players who would have played in the ninth-grade programs.

“We’ll spend time trying to acclimate them into the program,” Ware said. “It might take a little while but I believe they will play a role for us.”

Montgomery’s city junior high program began in 1948 with five schools – Capitol Heights, Cloverdale, Baldwin, Starke Military and Loretto (Catholic). It eventually grew to a 12-team league with an annual city championship played at Cramton Bowl.

“A lot of tradition will be left behind but I think change is good,” Ware said. “It will help the kids in the long run and I think that is what’s most important.”

Teams in the AHSAA begin workouts in shorts on Monday while most AISA teams began late last week. Teams must work out in shorts for three days.

Everyone is concerned about the heat, which is expected to reach 100 degrees again on Monday.

“It’s something you have to deal with but you know it’s going to be hot and you try to prepare everyone for that,” Pearson said.

The regular season opens the weekend of Aug. 27.