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Highlands Today

Dragons Take First Steps

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Quarterbacks and running backs practiced their footwork and ball handling during Monday's practice.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: August 15, 2008

LAKE PLACID - The excitement and enthusiasm was evident as the Lake Placid High School football players made their way on to the field for the first fall practice of the season on Monday.

Under an unforgiving afternoon sun and oppressive humidity, the Green Dragons energetically went through their paces under the watchful eye of first-year coach Jason Holden.

Holden, who accepted the Lake Placid head coaching job on Aug. 6, was all over the field, roving from one spot to another to make sure the players understood what they were being taught in preparation for the team's Kickoff Classic on Aug. 29.

"Things went great today," Holden said. "The kids hustled, were very attentive and picked things up quickly. I was so excited about today that I didn't really sleep well.

"We have only three weeks until our first game and we're stressing the fundamentals and the right way to block, tackle and hand the ball off."

The 38-year-old Holden, who is taking over for former coach Tim Grant after Grant resigned for personal reasons in July, thinks the Green Dragons have the talent to run the ball effectively.

"We're not big up front on the offensive line, but we can use misdirection to slow down the defense," said Holden. "We have good speed at the skill positions and if we sustain our blocks, should be able to make some big plays."

Seniors Chevontray Wilson and Zach Campbell have seen time at quarterback and both have the ability to help the Green Dragons move the chains on offense.

"Chevontray played at quarterback and wide receiver last year and has a lot of athletic ability," said Holden. "He is very quick, understands the game and has the speed to make plays from either position.

"Zach is smart, a hard worker, very coachable and has a strong, accurate arm."

Lake Placid will run the 4-3 on defense with the defensive linemen occupying the blockers so the linebackers can make the tackles.

"The interior of our defensive line should be our strength," said Holden, who played football and graduated from Lake Placid in 1988. "We want to stop the run up the middle and force everything to the sidelines where our pursuit can finish them off.

"We don't want to throw too much at the players and overwhelm them, but we have to be ready to play a football game in three weeks."

Lake Placid travels to Kissimmee on Aug. 29 for the Kickoff Classic against Liberty High.

"I wish we had more time, but we don't and that's just the way it is," said Holden. "We're looking forward to the challenge and there is no where else I'd rather be."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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