Private schools report for football camp

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, July 27, 2004

High school football is just around corner. Football players inthe Mississippi Private School Association report for preseasonpractice Monday to begin preparation for the big 2004 season.

Brookhaven Academy, along with other area MPSA schools asParklane, Copiah, Union, Adams Christian, Amite School Center andNatchez Trinity, officially report for practice Monday morning.

MPSA rules allow the players to work out in shorts and T-shirtsfor the first few days before adding pads at the end of the week.The second week, players are allowed to go full gear.

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Public schools report the following Monday, August 2.

Brookhaven Academy is under the direction of veteranhead coach Ray Ishee. Joining Ishee on the staff are Andrew Hickmanand Jamie Madison.

Ishee is expecting around 30 players to reportMonday.

The Cougars will work out twice-a-day. Players beginworkouts at 8 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. for the secondpractice.

Last year, Brookhaven finished the season 5-6 and 1-4 inDistrict 4-AA play. This year’s division opponents include BowlingGreen, Centreville, Columbia, Oak Forest, Silliman Institute andTrinity Episcopal out of Natchez.

Brookhaven kicks off its season on Friday, Aug. 20, atCopiah Academy. The Cougars will play in a three-team jamboree theweek before in Natchez.

Copiah Academy will be coached by Mitch Mitchell.Mitchell replaces John Callahan who resigned after last year’sseason. MItchell also serves as assistant principal and girlsbasketball coach.

‘We had about 30 kids to try out,” said Mitchell of thespring practice. “The kids worked real hard. We worked realhard.”

Copiah drops down to District 3 AA this season. Lastseason, the Gallman-based Colonels were 2-10 on the season and 0-6in District 2-AAA action.

Parklane Academy is coming off a 3-7 season and were 3-3in District 2-AAA Division 1 play. The McComb-based Pioneers aredirected by Charlie Newlon.

Newlon is anticipating a good number of playersMonday.

“I don’t really know yet, probably 25 to 30 players,”said Newlon.

Like most other academies, the Pioneers will be workingtwo-a-days, starting at 8 a.m. and resuming at 2:30 p.m. in theafternoon.

Parklane has an open date the first week and debuts athome, entertaining Bowling Green on August 27.

Union Academy finished the 2003 season 3-8 overall and0-3 in District 4-A play. The Saints, based in Georgetown, areunder the direction of first-year head coach CarlGriffith.

Griffith, who was an assistant coach at Union for thepast nine years, replaces Randy Holloway.

“We looked okay in scrimmage,” said Griffith who expects18 players to report Monday. The Saints will have their practicesat 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Union opens at home on Aug. 20 playing host to RebulAcademy.

Adams County Christian School is under the direction ofDavid King. King’s Rebels finished last season 4-8 overall and No.2 (2-4) in the Academy District 2-AAA Division 2.

Adams County kicks off its season playing host toCentreville on Aug. 20.

Amite School Center is coached by Barry Bean. TheLiberty-based Rebels are members of District 5 A and based out ofLiberty.

ASC entertains Natchez Trinity Friday, Aug. 20, in itsseason opener.

Natchez Trinity Episcopal Day School moved up from theDistrict 7-1 to District 4-AA with Brookhaven.

Last year, the Saints won their division goingundefeated at 5-0 and finished with a 13-1 record, losing toHeidelberg in the state football championship game. They arecoached by Keith Walters.