Plains Horsemen prepare for first game of the season
<p>Players for the Plains Horsemen put their backs into it against the sled during a recent practice. The team is set for a showdown against rival Thompson Falls.</p>
PLAINS- After the first practice of the season, the Horsemen of Plains are ready to rebound from a disappointing 2012-2013 season. Coach Juan Lulack is busy preparing the team to take the field for the first game of the season against rival Thompson Falls on August 31. If the coaches have their way, the Horsemen will have a few surprises in store for their opponents this season.
The team will have their work cut out for them learning new methods and techniques to boost their performance on the gridiron. Coach Lulack said he was expecting anywhere from 24 to 26 athletes to try out for the team.
“We are trying to stay positive about this year,” said Lulack. “We have a lot of new things to teach these guys. These guys have a lot of heart so we are going to give it all we have this year.”
During the first practice on Aug. 16, coaches began the athletes off with sprints. before transitioning to defensive line training with the sled. Players took turns slamming themselves against the padded training device with coaches riding aboard to add a little more weight.
The sled apparatus mimics the physical effects of on offensive line going up against a defensive line. Players were instructed to avoid taking steps before meeting the pads of the sled. Coaches told the athletes the move from a standard three-point position to hitting the sled was to be one fluid motion with no steps in between.
Players responded accordingly, springing up and forward from their stance, driving the sled backwards before coming to a stop at the whistle.
While Lulack is in his first year as head coach, he has had the opportunity to watch many of the players over the years during his tenure as junior high football coach and as assistant to the varsity team last year. Lulack said the team is showing improvement and are looking forward to the upcoming season.
“We are putting a lot of work into this season already,” said Lulack. “We are trying to make this a real positive experience and our goal is to be competitive this year.”
In their first year playing eight-man football, the Horsemen are looking to start off the season with new tactics on the field. The Plains High School football team will take on Thompson Falls in the season opener away from home.