SUMMER PREPS: Wetumpka, Prattville work to get better during OTAs

Wetumpka’s Deon Floyd works through the Prattville defense at Tuesday’s OTAs at Prattville. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

PRATTVILLE -- Both teams were looking for an intense workout when Prattville and Wetumpka took the field for an organized team activity at Stanley-Jensen Stadium on Tuesday morning.

Wetumpka coach Bear Woods liked what he saw from the Indians.

“The goal was seeing the passion from start to finish, that I’m excited to play football,” Woods said. “That was the attitude part that we talk about. From start to finish, they didn’t need me to motivate them. They had passion.”

Prattville coach Bobby Carr was happy for the opportunity to play Wetumpka in Tuesday’s OTA, but he wasn’t real happy with what he saw.  

 “I appreciate Coach Woods bringing his team and staff over here,” Carr said. “This time of year, it’s always good to compete against somebody else.”

A week earlier, the Lions had played in a 7-on-7 featuring Auburn High, Benjamin Russell and Dothan and had held their own. On Tuesday, however, the Lions didn’t show the same intensity.

 “I’m not sure we moved forward today,” Carr said. “Last week, I thought we took great strides forward. Today, we just kind of went through the motions and made some mental mistakes that we shouldn’t make at this point. But the mistakes we made are easy fixes. This is why you do things like this. There’s no scoreboard on. We’re just here to practice and get better.”

Woods liked what he saw, particularly out of sophomore quarterback Charlie Skipper, who he described as “a tremendous multi-sport athlete and a very athletic young kid.” Skipper, a sophomore, alternated with junior Baker Pouncey in the 100-minute workout and both quarterbacks held their own against the Prattville defense.

“Offensively and defensively, we wanted to see pre-snap execution,” Woods said. “Our ‘B’ team had three pre-snap penalties while our JV offense and our freshman offense did a fantastic job. We checked a lot of boxes today. Thanks to Coach Carr and his staff for having such a professional OTA. We were out here to get a real practice and we got a lot of work in, so I appreciate his hospitality.”

Wetumpka will open the season on Aug. 22 at Beauregard. Prattville will open a day earlier against Pike Road in the Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl.