Mississippi Private School Association football teams launchpreseason practice Monday as coaches begin preparing for the 2009campaign. Brookhaven Academy head coach Herbert Davis said heexpects around 30 players for tomorrow’s 7 a.m. practice.

Davis planned a 3 p.m. meeting today for varsity players at thefield house. They will receive physical exams and Davis willdiscuss practice plans in depth.

After tomorrow morning’s practice, the Cougars will practiceagain at 4 p.m. The first 2 days of practice will see playerswearing shorts and helmets. They’ll don shoulder pads Wednesday andput on full equipment next Monday.

They will scrimmage Jackson Academy at Jackson Aug. 7, startingat 3:30 p.m.

On Aug. 14, the Cougars participate in the Parklane jamboree.Their first game is Aug. 21, hosting the Silliman Institute (La.)Wildcats.

Davis and the Cougars are 3-time defending District 4-AAchampions. “We are excited about getting started,” said Davis. “Weare looking forward to the season.”

The Cougars finished 8-3 last season.

Parklane Academy: Coach Bo Milton’s McComb Parklane Pioneersstart practice at 7:30 each morning and labor until 9:30 this week.After a 60-minutte break, they resume practice from 10:30 tonoon.

Milton said he expected 45 players to participate.

Parklane’s jamboree is Aug. 14, with Centreville Academy andBrookhaven Academy joining the Pioneers.

The Pioneers kick off their 2009 season Aug. 21, at JacksonAcademy.

“It’s a tough opener but that’s how you build your program, “said Milton. In his first season at the helm of his alma mater, thePioneers finished 7-3.

Copiah Academy: At Gallman, Copiah Academy begins practiceMonday. The Colonels, coached by Scott Cline, will practice twicedaily, Monday through Wednesday, starting at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Coach Cline said he expected around 30 varsity candidates.

On Wednesday, the Colonels will practice that afternoon throughSaturday at Millsaps College in Jackson. Canton Academy will joinin the joint practice sessions.

Copiah Academy hosts its annual jamboree Thursday, Aug. 13.Joining the Colonels are Newton Academy, Hillcrest Christian, RiverOaks, La. Huntington, La., ACCS, East Rankin and Central Hinds.

The Colonels, who went 5-6 last year, kick off their season Aug.21, hosting Riverfield (La.).

This season the Colonels are moving up to Class AAA, DivisionII. On Labor Day Weekend, the Colonels will travel to Destin, Fla.,and play Rocky Bayou Christian on Sept. 4.