WESSON – To beat the oppressive afternoon heat, the Co-LinWolves have been practicing later in the day.

WESSON – To beat the oppressive afternoon heat, the Co-LinWolves have been practicing later in the day. Practice usuallystarts at 6:30.

Co-Lin head coach Phil Broome said his Wolves have been makingprogress in practice. “We are about where we need to be, Ouroffensive front has a long way to go because we are so young. Wemust execute better on offense.”

Quarterback Denard Parks of Miami, Fla., and tailback AndrewBurks of Hazlehurst are sophomores returning on offense. CenterWillie Quarles of Brookhaven and tackle Chris Thigpen of Winnsboro,S.C., both sophomores, are expected to anchor the line.

In a scrimmage last Friday night, freshman offensive guardTerrell Showers of Monticello tore the ligaments which connect thetwo bones in his ankle. Two screws were attached to the bonesduring surgery.

“He was doing a good job for us,” said Broome. Showers had beenprojected as a starter.

“On defense, we are starting to jell,” said Broome. “They arerunning to the ball real well.”

Defensive tackle Keehsan Lowe of Hazlehurst and safety JohnnyRutherford of Atlanta, Ga., return All-South Division honors ondefense.

Final preparations are under way for the season opener againstNorthwest Community College. Kickoff is 7 p.m., next Thursday inStone Stadium.

“Our quarterback, Denard Parks, has really done well inpractice,” said Broome. “Novack Traxler, one of our wideouts, hasbeen impressive. He works his tail off in practice.” Traxler is asophomore from Magee.

On defense, freshman linebacker Jermaine May of Monticello hasplayed well. Broome said freshman linebacker Kendrick Bournes ofMonticello is slowed by shin splints.

“Our kicking game is solid,” said Broome. Punter Justin Spencerof Brookhaven (Loyd Star) and placekicker Matt Powers of Mendenhallattended a summer camp at Hinds Community College. Broome said thecamp helped both sophomores improve their skills.

“They are fluid on mechanics,” said Broome. “We have worked onour punting and kicking game more than other areas.”

Working as long snapper is freshman Drummons McAlpin of SimpsonAcademy. “He’s doing a good job for us.”

Freshman fullback Aaron Yarborough, who had been sidelined witha bruised shoulder, participated in contact drills Tuesday.Yarborough is from Brookhaven.

“Our freshman running backs are having to adjust to the hardhitting on every play,” said Broome. “They have to get used to oursystem, too.”