Beginning Monday morning, MPSA private school football playershit the field to begin preparation for the 2005 season. The membersof the Mississippi Private School Association get a one-week jumpon the public schools.

Brookhaven Academy will be joined by area schools as ParklaneAcademy in McComb, Copiah Academy in Gallman, Union Academy inGeorgetown, Amite School Center in Liberty, Adams County ChristianSchool and Trinity Episcopal in Natchez.

The Cougars will work out in t-shirts and shorts the first threedays. The players can add shoulder pads on Thursday, July 28 , thenfull gear on Saturday, July 30.

The public schools report the following Monday, August 1.

Brookhaven Academy, coached by Ray Ishee, iscoming off a 9-2 (4-2 in District 4-AA) record during the 2004season.

“We’ll have probably around 30,” said Ishee. “We had a goodspring. We have had good summer participation. We feel like we aregoing to have a good bunch.

“We have skilled guys that are back. They are capable. The bigguys have been working hard.”

The Cougars will work out in two-a-day practices. They practiceswill be held at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Cougars will visit Amite School Center in a jamboree onFriday, Aug. 12.

Brookhaven kicks off the new season hosting the Copiah AcademyColonels at Cougar Field on Friday, August 19. Their divisionopponents include Centreville, Oak Forest, La., Bowling Green, La.,Columbia, Trinity Episcopal and Silliman, La.

Copiah Academy is coached by Mitch Mitchell whois going into his second season as head coach. Mitchell is alsoassistant headmaster and girls basketball coach.

“We will have 27 players,” said Mitchell. “That’s what we had inthe weight room during the summer.”

MItchell said spring practice revealed some things they mustwork on.

“We are ready to get started,” added Mitchell. “It’s going to behot and tough.”

The Colonels will practice Monday-Thursday beginning at 7 a. mand 4 p.m. The schedule for Friday is unsure.

Last season, the Colonels finished the season 8-3 overall andwere 2-2 in District 3-AA play. Their division opponents includeCentral Hinds, Adams Christian, Prairie View and Riverfield.

Parklane Academy (7-4, 3-3) finished lastseason District 2-AAA (Division 1). Coached by Charlie Newlon, theMcComb-based Pioneers are looking to improve on last year’s record.Their two division foes are Jackson Prep and Hillcrest Christian.Their Division 2 foes are Central Private, Lamar, Manchester andPresbyterian Christian.

The Pioneers have an open date on August 19.

Union Academy, coached by Carl Griffith, kicksoff its season on Friday night, Aug. 19, at Rebul Academy. TheGeorgetownn-based Saints finished last season 1-8 in District 6-Aaction.

Amite School Center, coached by Barry Bean,travels to Trinity Episcopal on Friday, Aug. 19, in Natchez. TheASC Rebels wrapped up last year’s season 2-8 in District 6-Aplay.

Adams County Christian School, coached by KeithWalters, plays a Thursday night special on Aug. 18 at Centreville.In 2004, the ACCS Rebels were 6-6 overall and 3-1 in District3-AA.

Trinity Episcopal, coached by David King, hostsAmite School Center on Aug. 19. Trinity’s Saints concluded lastyear 6-6 at the end of the season in District 4-AA.