Fog hovered over the Adna High School football field. Blue helmets were donned on heads and even the cheerleaders made an appearance holding a banner to break down.
Welcome to the 2024 prep football season in Washington.
And the Pirates didn’t waste any time on Wednesday morning.
On the first official day of fall camp, Adna opened with a midnight practice with music in the background and 75 minutes of various team and individual drills.
From the opening breakdown to the final team gathering, energy was palpable as the regular season is three weeks away.
“Just understanding that everyday, you have an opportunity to get better,” Pirates head coach Aaron Cochran said. “You have to take advantage of those opportunities. That’s the goal.”
Here are three takeaways from the first practice session for the Pirates.
Luke Mohney expected to be all over the field
One of the key returners for Adna, the senior lined up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield during team drills.
The goal is to put him in various spots on offense to set the Pirates up for offensive success. They eclipsed over 50 points in their three wins a season ago, but only reached 30-plus twice in seven losses.
“I like getting my other teammates getting looks,” Mohney said. “I’ve always loved being a utility guy.”
Tackling a point of emphasis
The first 25 minutes of Wednesday’s practice was focused strictly on tackling drills. Cochran, in his second year at the helm in Adna, broke the team into three position groups.
Form tackling using pads and the wheel as well as one-on-one tackles were paramount to what the Pirates aim to do defensively.
Facing against programs that traditionally run the rock, much of the front-seven will face plenty of responsibility once the season-opener kicks off at home against Toledo on Sep. 6.
“Linebackers (have) to start filling those open doors,” senior Gavan Muller said. “D-tackles, D-ends, we got to start taking on blocks better.”
Culture changing
If mistakes were made, there was plenty of running involved. At one point in a drill, the entire offensive unit ran to the bleachers and back for being too slow at the start.
Players feel a different vibe around this version of Adna. Cochran believes the 2023 group laid the foundation for this team to build on.
“This has been a great offseason for them,” Cochran said. “We have to continue to get better.”
