Cougars hit practice field as "two-a-days" begin

The August heat always is somewhat dreaded by high school football players as they begin the infamous "two-a-days" in preparation for the fall season.

This year promises to be a slight improvement over normal as the temperature continues to be relatively mild in Northeast Arkansas.

Rector's Cougars began their pre-season drills Monday under the tutelage of head coach Bob Alberson and assistant Nathan Henderson.

The Cougars are getting ready for pre-season scrimmages at Temerian Field against Corning, the juniors opening play at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, and the seniors at the same time Friday, Aug. 28.

As has been the case for Rector teams in recent years, depth will be a pressing problem. Only 15 players reported on the senior team for the first day, while there were 16 junior high players.

Coach Alberson hopes there will be additions to the teams as practice moves ahead and perhaps even as school starts, but he acknowledges the lack of numbers is a critical issue.

Despite the low numbers, Alberson sees some positive signs for his senior high team.

"I had my skill-players in here working through the summer and they are doing a good job," the coach said. "The concern is finding people to block for them."

"We will be in the wishbone offense again this year and we won't throw the ball as much as we did last year," the coach said. Right now Dustin Sparks is lining up in the quarterback position.

He will be getting the ball a lot to standout senior running back Seth Parsley, who has 4.7 speed in the 40. "He's going to be the offense this year for us," the coach said of Parsley, "and if he goes down, we're sunk."

Parsley and senior fullback Clinton Haley are the returning all-conference selections for the Cougars.

Alberson said his team has been working hard in the weight room and overall team strength has increased by "leaps and bounds" as a result.

Among the offensive linemen gaining strength are returning starters Brian Cooper and Dustin Smith. "Cooper is one of the strongest kids I've ever seen," the coach said.

The Cougars open play Friday, Sept. 4, against Manila in non-conference action.

Rector competes in District 2A-3, with Cross County, Marked Tree, Augusta and McCrory listed among the favorites. Alberson said low numbers seem to have hit the EPC program this year and not much is known about the strength of Walnut Ridge. The coach ranks his team close to conference members Salem and Cedar Ridge. In addition to the conference games and the Manila opener, the Cougars also will play Palestine-Wheatley this year.

The Junior Cougars are, to some extent, starting over since no team was fielded on that level last year due to lack of numbers.

Alberson's nephew, Mitchell Weber, will run the wishbone offense for the Junior Cougars. He will be handing the ball off a lot to running back Dillon Shelton, who has outstanding speed and quickness, according to the coach.

Only three seventh graders are on this year's team, but Alberson said help appears to be on the way in the lower grades with more participation. He expects to start adding at least eight or nine seventh graders each year to his program, which will lead to more consistency of performance.

The Junior Cougars open the regular season at home against Augusta on Thursday, Sept. 3.