The Siloam Springs football team has had a strong offseason, and according to sixth-year head coach Bryan Ross, it's gone by quickly.
"The older I get, the faster time moves," said Ross. "You rock along in offseason and all of a sudden it's a month till spring ball."
The Panthers wrapped up another workout session on Monday, which marked five weeks until the start of spring football on May 19.
The Arkansas Activities Association allows for 10 days of practice in the spring. Ross said the Panthers will use nine of their 10 allotted days with spring ball ending on May 30 with the annual Senior Maroon and Gray Bowl. The team will not hold practice on Memorial Day, May 26.
As a whole, Ross said he's been pleased with the progress the team has made in the offseason. The Panthers are coming off a 3-8 season in 2013.
"Our kids work hard," he said. "Their work ethic and attitude have been great."
The Panthers, boosted by a large group of rising sophomores, have around 88 kids in the offseason program, Ross said.
The priority this offseason has been improving size, strength and speed.
"It's fun to watch the kids make big gains," Ross said.
By the time the offseason is complete, the Panthers will have gone through two six-week cycles of their workout program. At the end of each cycle, they test to see where gains have been made.
In the two to three weeks leading up to spring ball, the team will still have weight-room time but it will also do more football-related work.
"Our offseason setup is really good," he said. "We get a lot of work done in an hour and 15 minutes each day."
Several returning players have been impressive during the offseason, Ross said.
Senior wide receiver/safety Parker Baldwin has "had a really good offseason," Ross said, bulking up to 200 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame.
"He'll definitely be a big part of the equation," Ross said.
Junior Rickey Hughes, who started at running back the first half of the year, "has worked his butt off," Ross said.
Senior running back Colin Dolezal, who was injured last year, has been impressive in his first full offseason.
Senior quarterback Chris Lampton has done a lot of work mechanically, his coach said. He's also been throwing the discus for the track team. "I like that he's out there competing," Ross said.
Senior safety Tyler Burke had a shoulder injury flare up again this offseason, but he should be OK once spring ball is here.
Rising juniors Coby Roach and Matt Downing have had good offseasons after seeing playing time as sophomores.
On the offensive and defensive lines, Ross said offensive lineman Sean Kenney is "light years ahead" of where he was last year at this time.
"He's slimmed down some and moving well," Ross said.
Junior Aric Sislo has really come on and will likely be an important player on both sides of the ball, Ross said.
Senior offensive lineman Cole Stephens, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, appears to be back to full speed.
There is the potential that several sophomores will be in the mix as well, Ross said.
Sports on 04/16/2014