CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – When Northeast football took to the field on Thursday for preseason workouts, there was a discernible difference between past practices and what they now look like under new guidelines handed down from CMCSS and the TSSAA pertaining to high school athletics.
For example, no more than nine athletes were allowed in groups at once, and the players were asked to remain six feet apart from each other while going through drills.
Clarksville Montgomery County Schools were given permission to resume workouts after the conclusion of the dead period, which ran from June 22 through July 5.
This puts local athletes behind the curve after surrounding counties began workouts nearly a month prior to the recent layoff.
Northeast football coach Brandon Clark discussed some of the difficulties that come with preparing for a new season during these unforeseen times.
“The biggest challenge is just the unknown I think,” Clark said. “We’re all in the same boat with that. I think you really have to be organized right now also. Make sure that we’re all doing the proper and safe thing. You’re doing things as coach you never ever would’ve in your wildest dreams imagined you’d have to do. I say six feet more than I probably say anything else right now…That’s the biggest challenge I think.”
Clark has chosen to look on the bright side when it comes to adapting to this new required way of conducting workouts.
“It’s been really good in these small groups that we’re in,” Clark said. “We’ve been able to do a lot of footwork. We’ve been able to work on plays on offense as best that we can. I think there’s a lot of positives from this. I think it’s changed my outlook on how I’ll coach in the future because we’ve gotten so much done, it’s unreal. I think our kids in some aspects feel better prepared right now than they did this time last year just because we’ve been able to really work on some fundamental things that we never really were able to do as much before.”
At this time, practices are to be held without contact in accordance with Governor Bill Lee’s extension of the COVID-19 state of emergency which runs until Aug. 29.
Even with the start of the upcoming football season still hanging in the balance as a result, Clark’s message to his team remains the same.
“Just one day at time,” Clark said. “As humans we love to ponder about the future, but we really have to just weigh everything one day at a time and that’s the message right now. Just do the best you can do today and don’t even worry about tomorrow.”