Football starts early

n Teams are not allowedto have contact practiceson back-to-back days.

By Graham Thomas

Staff Writer n [email protected]

It's not even May yet, but spring football is on the horizon for the Siloam Springs football team.

Because of new rules regarding consecutive contact days for spring practice, the Panthers will begin their annual spring drills at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Typically, it's been mid-May when spring practice starts, however, the Arkansas Activities Association handed down new guidelines for football teams this spring.

Teams are still allowed to have 10 days of contact in pads, however, they are no longer allowed to have consecutive contact days. Because of this, it will take teams -- including Siloam Springs -- longer to complete their allotted amount of practices.

"It is what it is," said Siloam Springs head coach Bryan Ross. "I know that's a very common saying, but when the rules are handed down from the higher-ups that this is the way it's going to be then you just adapt to it and go on.

"They're trying to limit the amount of contact on consecutive days so we'll just space it out, still get the amount of work done that we always have. It'll just be over a longer period of time. Everybody else is in the same situation, so it shouldn't be any big deal."

Ross said safety in football has become an increasing concern over the years and it's reflected in the new policies.

"I think it just comes down to the whole point of emphasis in football now is trying to limit the amount of contact that you're having," he said. "Football is a contact game but certainly we want to be safer than maybe the way it's been in the past. I don't think we've really had too many issues. The concussion thing that you're getting in all levels of football, it's just a matter of making it as safe as possible. Certainly we want that as well as coaches. We want our kids to be safe."

The Panthers will hold practices from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday of this week at Panther Stadium. Practices are also scheduled for the same times on May 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 and 16. The spring game is scheduled for Panther Stadium at 6 p.m. on May 20.

And though there will be some off days between contact days, those days will not be wasted.

The Panthers will still lift weights, do film work and some football work in helmets.

"We'll still be lifting through spring ball and everything," Ross said. "The days we aren't in pads, part of that time will be lifting and the other part will be football work. We'll still get the kids out of here by the end of school everyday."

The Panthers are coming off a 4-6 season in 2015, missing the playoffs after two straight years with a first-round playoff victory.

Siloam Springs graduated numerous seniors on both sides of the ball, but the Panthers have nearly 90 players going through spring drills right now.

Ross said the team does have several points of emphasis this spring, including the offensive line and defensive secondary.

"I think we have to develop our offensive line," Ross said. "I think that we've lost a lot of experience up there on the offensive line. I think physically we'll have some kids that can do the job. It's just a matter of getting them in the situation where they can be successful. A lot of times it just takes time. Spring ball usually helps you with the younger kids. So we'll get a chance to see where some of the younger kids are.

"Then defensively I think the secondary, we've got to find some depth there. Those are probably where we'll look the hardest at. With spring it's just you're trying to get a preview of what you're going to get in the fall. That's what we use it for, to get some reps in, to get better and get a preview of where you're going to be at in the fall."