SUMMER PREPS: St. James, Julian putting on finishing touches prior to opening preseason camp
Mason Craig finds running room during St. James’ scrimmage against Percy Julian on Monday. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Tuesday’s workout with P. Julian provided both coaches with important information, even though St. James doesn’t have an offense geared toward 7-on-7 workouts or organized team activities.
“It really is not,” St. James coach Larry Ware said, “but a look was better than having nothing. We’re a different offense this year than we have been in the past. For me, it’s untraditional and I’m learning it myself as we go but the blocking assignments for the offensive line, which is what I handle, is very similar to some things I’ve always done.”
For a lot of teams, Monday was the first day of preseason practice. The Trojans and the Phoenix took the opportunity to practice for two hours against each other.
“We got an opportunity to showcase the guys’ work a little bit and get a little bit better,” Julian coach Kenneth White said. “I think we achieved those goals. Some stuff is going to work, some stuff isn’t. I like how the kids came out and they were able to support each other and learn and grow.”
St. James, as they will this fall, alternated Grant Phillips and Mason Craig at quarterback, but the Trojans had difficulty moving the ball against the Phoenix.
“I got one on one with the ‘bigs’ and 7 vs. 7 with the skill personnel, which is what I wanted to see,” Ware said. “I wanted to see a different speed level (from Julian). I didn’t know if they were going to be very fast or close to what we are or under what we are. I think I saw what I needed to see and our defensive coordinator (Jeff Corley) and secondary coaches got a chance to see what they needed to see, scheme wise, to see what we’re doing and make those corrections for our kids.”
St. James will continue morning workouts until school starts on Aug. 8. They will travel to Reeltown for a jamboree on Aug. 15, then open the season on Aug. 22 against Catholic.