WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – For most groups the 2023-24 fall highschool season formally kicks off on Monday however some groups acquired an early begin to issues Saturday.

At Watertown High School, Coach Vince Williams’ Cyclones took to the turf vivid and early this morning, holding their first official observe.

The group, underneath their new head coach, easing into issues earlier than ramping up for his or her season opener in opposition to West Genesee on the street Friday, September eighth at 6 p.m.

Williams says he’s excited to have his full group on the sphere for the primary time.

“The first day is always an exciting day for us. Getting the kinks out, doing some stuff we haven’t done, trying to put everything together. For us kids, especially those younger kids, it’s trying to get them caught up as quickly as possible. For our varsity kids, we’ve been doing a lot of this stuff over the summer so it’s just another day of practice for us,” mentioned Williams.

“It’s very exciting. We have a lot of skill drills, a lot of talent going around, a lot of people getting to know certain drills and know certain positions. Starting to get to work in the field for football,” mentioned Marquell Jefferson, Watertown Junior LB/TE/WR.

“It’s been fun so far. Everyone has put in the work. We got the linemen over here doing their drills, running backs and wide receivers. Everyone is doing their own thing and learning things we didn’t do in 7 on 7 yet. Everyone’s just getting better,” mentioned John Flowers, Watertown Junior Quarterback.

“You know, 7 on 7 was good. We didn’t have as many people as we have now. It’s good to have most of the team back. We finally get helmets on, get to get use to wearing the helmets, actually doing drills, working as a team and getting our strength as a team back,” mentioned Johnathon Porco, Watertown Senior Wide Receiver.

Now some groups acquired just a little earlier begin than others.

At the stroke of midnight in Dexter this morning, the General brown Lions hit the sphere underneath the lights for his or her first official observe.

The Lions seeking to repeat final yr’s success which noticed them make all of it the way in which to the State class C Championship Game on the JMA Wireless Dome.

For many of the gamers, it’s a continuation of summer season camp that the Lions held and one thing General Brown Coach Doug Black says has helped play a key position within the group having a lot success the previous a number of seasons.

” I feel it’s big. It was a giant profit for us final yr. Pretty a lot I might say 90% of our Varsity youngsters had been at our summer season camp. It offers them a leap begin conditioning and studying what we do and why we do what we do. I feel it actually units the precedent with the work ethic and will get the youngsters centered on soccer. It sort of leads proper into our season so I feel it’s nice to get them began and it’s nice for chemistry,” mentioned Black.

The Lowville Red Raiders soccer group has a tough 2022 marketing campaign however can be seeking to flip issues flip issues round in an at all times powerful Section 3 Class C.

Coach Josh Coffman’s Red Raiders completed with a 2-6 total document, 1-5 in school C-2 play final season, lacking out on the postseason.

Coffman hopes to enhance on that mark this season with a younger squad that’s skinny in numbers and has simply 6 seniors on the roster.

“We’ve had a little spell here of not having huge numbers. We’ve been able to maintain JV football which is big for us at the Class C level. We have 24 Freshman signed up so that’s a big class coming through. That kind of helps us with lower numbers right now,” mentioned Coffman.

What Coffman lacks in amount he makes up for in high quality with Senior quarterback Logan Watson returning to steer the offense.

Last season, Watson threw for 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns and feels he’s able to take his recreation to the following stage this season.

“You know, we’re a really young team but we’ve got a lot of guys that want to be here and compete every day. I think we’ll be fine this year. I’m excited,” mentioned Watson.

Also returning on the offensive facet of the soccer is Senior working again Sean Kelly, who led the Red Raiders in speeding with 470 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Kelly feels that a few of the underclassmen on the Lowville roster are able to fill some holes on each side of the ball and be key contributors this season.

“From this team, I see a lot of returning talent. We have one of the best quarterbacks in Section 3 and a lot of rising sophomores to be juniors that are going to be really impactful on this team, offense and defense. We’re going to be able to pass the ball well and have a good defense,” mentioned Kelly.

Coffman says to ensure that the group to have success this season and make it again to the publish season, a key ingredient can be how nicely the Red Raiders management the road of scrimmage on each side of the ball.

” I feel play up entrance. As at all times, that’s sort of the place every part begins and ends, offensive and defensive position. We’ve acquired a number of guys returning, a number of new faces, some guys have put in a while within the weight room, they’re getting out on the turf and placing within the time there. Hopefully, because the season goes on, they will proceed to develop and enhance,” mentioned Coffman.

The Red Raiders open their 2023 season on the street at Skaneateles on September eighth.

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