Patriots hope summer workouts lead to fall successes
The Bob Jones football team has been hard at work this summer trying to increase their athletic ability to improve on their 5-5 record from last year.
The team has been working four days a week from 7 a.m. to about 10 a.m. They work on strength through weightlifting and are adding to their speed and stamina by doing sprints and agility workouts.
"We are working very hard right now," safety Scott McDowell said. "I think we have a better mentality this year."
The Patriots went .500 last year and got blown out in the first round of the playoffs. Considering where the Bob Jones program had been before 2006, a year in which they won their first playoff game in 19 years, last year would seem to be quite successful, even though their record was mediocre. Wide receivers coach Kelly Fields feels that they are ready to take the next step.
"In some areas last year, we didn't have the team we wanted," Fields said. "This year we're expecting bigger and better things; we have many starters returning and a lot more experience on the team."
Fields is also the team's speed and agility coach, and he has added some extra form and technique drills that the team did not have last year.
"We want to try to get faster during the summer and come into camp in shape," he said.
The Patriots are hoping that their tough work during the summer will translate into production on the field during the season.
"We believe that how hard you want it in practice is how good you will be in the game," McDowell said.
Ellis explains the importance of getting stronger during the off season.
"If you don't get stronger in the weight room, then you can't get stronger on the field," Ellis said.
