by: Yonathan Velasco Solis

SANFORD – The last time the varsity football team at Lee County High School stepped
foot onto the field, they ended up walking out with a devastating loss to Southern Lee. The Yellow Jackets are back on the field hoping to erase that memory as they open spring football camp.

Assistant coach Frank Finnerty explains the goal of these spring practices as an opportunity to build their way back up.

“Spring practices are a time for us to get a first look at our new team since we haven’t practiced since we had last year’s seniors,” Finnerty said. “We will only have what we call rising sophomores, rising juniors, rising seniors.”

The coaching staff also gets to see the new opportunities and skills that newer players have to offer.

“You get a first look at the team together and we kind of take it as a reset to start from day one and develop skills and techniques from the bottom-up,” Finnerty added.

According to rules set by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, each school is allowed 10 official spring practices before the beginning of the exam dead period.

Junior linebacker Terrance Mckendall was on the field when the Cavaliers kicked a last-second field goal to end LCHS’ season in October. He says the Jackets are using spring camp as a way to get better for next season.

“It’s to help us for the season coming up in the fall in August,” McKendall said, “getting stronger mentally, physically. Better relations with the coaches and players.”

Aside from Spring football practices being a moment steal back the spotlight, it’s also an
opportunity of getting the team back together and collaborating once more for a united goal
amongst the team.

“The reason why we love holding spring practices is because it gets all the Lee County school to hold Spring football practice following devastating football loss. Guys together on the football field which we haven’t had a chance to do since our unfortunate loss to Southern last year,” Finnerty said.

McKendall added that is was great getting back on the field to help erase the feeling of last season’s end. “It was actually fun to put the helmet back on, everybody doing drills with different positions, getting better knowing the coaches, and everybody back around the atmosphere again,” McKendall said.

Ultimately, the thing the coaches are looking forward the most is seeing who can take up the
mantle to play for LCHS and who they can trust the most. “I think the number one thing we’re
evaluating right now is accountability,” Finnerty said. “But the main thing we’re looking for is
who can we depend upon?”

Fall camp can open for the Jackets on July 31.