MHS junior running back Braden Deere looks for open space during a drill earlier this week. The Monarchs completed their two-week camp session today. Preseason practices begin on Monday, Aug. 2. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marysville High School’s football team put the finishing touches on its work before the start of the 2021 preseason.
The Monarchs wrapped up their second week of camp this morning and will now take off next week.
“We’ve been taking the week of the Union County Fair off for a number of years,” said Marysville High School head coach Brent Johnson. “A lot of our guys are involved with the fair as far as livestock and other projects.
“We give them that week to focus on the fair.”
Johnson said no Monarch gridders will even be in the weight room next week.
“We don’t want to see them around here,” he laughed. “This next week is going to give both the players and coaches a break.”
The week away from football will hopefully give the team the rest it needs prior to the start of preseason camp.
The 2021 two-a-day sessions begin on Monday, Aug. 2.
The two weeks of camp were conducted as they have always been, according to Johnson.
“We installed our offense and defense,” he said. “We’re also teaching the new guys how to play Marysville High School football.”
Johnson said the camp sessions have also been a time for the squad to jell.
“We’re a tight unit,” he said. “That’s what I like to see.”
The coach said Monarch players not only used the camp as a learning experience, but also as a time to hone their competitive nature.
“We’re going to have competition for several positions,” said Johnson. “Those will namely be on the offensive line, safety and tight end.”
The Monarchs are also auditioning players for the defensive line.
“We’re the type of program that likes to play a lot of guys on the D line,” said the coach. “If we can get 8-10 guys ready to play those spots each game, that’s great for us.
“The guys have already done a great job of holding each other accountable for what we learn and to build toward success,” he said.
The Monarch boss is also pleased with the leadership that is being displayed by several seniors.
“We’ve also used the camp as a way to teach our seniors how to be leaders,” he said.
Several seniors have stood out in that role, including linebacker-running back Gabe Powers, defensive lineman Erryl Will, offensive lineman Gavin Rohrs and fullback Jerry McNeal.
The Monarchs, who have 87 players (grades 10-12) on the roster, went through a couple of hot and humid days earlier this week before cooler air worked its way through the region on Wednesday and Thursday.
Today’s session was just a touch warmer than the previous couple of days.
“The guys’ attitudes have been great, even through the hot weather,” said Johnson. “As a matter of fact, today’s (Tuesday) session was one of the best we’ve had the past couple of weeks.”
Although the Monarch coach has been happy with what he’s seen in camp, he knows things are just really beginning to hop.
“We’ve haven’t had pads on yet, so gosh, there’s still a lot to do,” he said.
“However, the guys have worked hard this summer and should be ‘football-sharp’ when two-a-days begin.”