High school football teams begin practicing in earnest Monday asthe countdown continues for the 2001 campaign. In Lincoln County,there are three new head coaches among the six teams.

Roe Burns, a 26-year coaching veteran, has the most experienceamong the newcomers. Burns coached for 20 years at Loyd Star beforetaking a 1-year retirement. He was hired to lead the 3-year-oldWest Lincoln program.

Andrew Hickman was hired in April to direct the BrookhavenPanthers when Greg Wall returned to South Pike after a 5-year stayat BHS. Hickman came to BHS from George County.

Ray Ishee, a veteran educator of 32 years, was named head coachand high school principal at Brookhaven Academy in May. Isheecoached the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves for 10 years,winning a state championship in 1985.

The first three days of preseason practice will be restricted toconditioning. Players can wear shorts, T-shirts and helmets. OnAug. 9-10, shoulder pads and jerseys can be added to theequipment.

Brookhaven: the Panthers practice Monday at 11 a.m.Coach Hickman said the practice would have a late start due to aschool district meetings on Monday and Tuesday. The afternoonpractice starts at 6 p.m.

Hickman said he is expecting 60-65 players to report forpractice.

The Panthers kick off their season Aug. 31, atHazlehurst.

Brookhaven Academy: The Cougars will practice at 7:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m., starting Monday.

Ishee said the Cougars will participate in the McCombParklane Jamboree on Friday, Aug. 24. The Cougars host CopiahAcademy in their season opener, Aug. 31.

Bogue Chitto: The Bobcats, under the direction of CoachCarl Cole, start practice at 6 p.m., Monday. A team meeting will beheld Sunday night at 9 and equipment will be issued.

Cole said the p.m. practice schedule would continue throughThursday. He expects 32 players to report. There are 12 seniors onthe team.

School starts on Friday and practice will be held afterschool.

The Bobcats host Stringer Aug. 31.

Enterprise: Coach Ricky Deere expects 40players to report for practice tomorrow at 8 a.m. The YellowJackets will continue morning practices until Friday when schoolstarts. Friday’s practice starts at 2 p.m.

The Jackets make their debut at McLaurin.

Loyd Star: Coach Anthony Hart’s Hornets kick offpractice tomorrow morning at 8. They practice again at 3 p.m. Theirfirst game is at home on Aug. 31, versus Bay Springs.

Hart expects 50 players to report forpractice.

West Lincoln: The Bears begin practice Monday at 5 p.m.Burns expects 40 players to report. Their first game is Aug. 31, atSt. Joseph in Madison.

Wesson: Coach Ronald Greer’s Cobras will practice twicedaily through Wednesday. They’ll begin at 3:45 Monday and practicefor two hours. After a 45-minute break to rehydrate, they’ll startagain.

Around 45 players are expected for practice. The Cobraskick off their season at Salem.

Greer said Tuesday’s practice will last from 2:30-5:30.The Cobras practice at 3 p.m. Wednesday and school starts Thursday,pushing practice back to 3:15.

Lawrence County: New head coach Trent Hammond said hisCougars will start practice tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. They’ll practiceTuesday and Wednesday at 5 p.m. School starts Thursday and practicebegins at 3 p.m.

Hammond said he expects 55 players to report forpractice. The Cougars play their first game atCollins.

Franklin County: Led by veteran head coach Michael Goff,the Bulldogs will practice at 3 p.m., each afternoon. The Bulldogsdebut Aug. 31, hosting Vidalia, La.

Hazlehurst, under the direction of third year head coachWillie Brown, will practice at 9 a.m. this week. He expects 25players to report.

The Indians host Brookhaven on Aug. 31.

Copiah Academy, under the direction of new head coachTim Ellison, will stress individual attention during the first weekof practice. On Monday, from 8-10 a.m., defensive backs andlinebackers will practice. From 10-12 noon, the defensive line anddefensive ends will practice.

In the afternoon, running backs and receivers willpractice from 4-6 p.m. Offensive lineman will work from 6-8p.m.

“We get a lot more teaching done instead of havingeverybody standing still,” said Coach Ellison. “It’s something I’vealways done. We can work more on individualtechnique.”

Ellison said he anticipated 22 varsity candidates.Copiah will host a scrimmage with Presbyterian Christian ofHattiesburg and University Christian of Brandon.

The Colonels will host The Copiah Jamboree is Saturday,Aug. 25. At 6 p.m., Copiah plays Wayne Academy, followed byHillcrest versus Prentiss Christian School, Wayne versus AdamsCounty Christian School at 7, Columbia Academy vs. Hillcrest at7:30, PCS vs.Jackson Academy at 8, ACCS vs. Columbia at 8:30 and JAvs. Copiah at 9.