Since April, Milton High School Football Coach Chafan Marsh and his coaching staff have been working with the school’s junior varsity and varsity football players to prepare for the upcoming football season.
“Spring is extremely important, so we can have a better season that we had last year,” Marsh said.
The Panther varsity team had an overall record of 4-6 this past season.
“We have a bunch of good kids and part of it is putting them in the right position and finding out where they are going to play and where they are going to excel at,” Marsh said. “So we are spending a lot of time trying to find that niche and coach them up.”
In addition to overcoming a 4-6 record, the Panthers are also looking to replace eight starters on defense, Marsh said. Spring practice gives players, including incoming freshmen the opportunity to make an impact on the team.
“We are looking for guys who show us that they want to play football,” Marsh said.
Eric Hurst is looking to make an impact in his junior year with the team. Hurst, who played fullback on the varsity team last season, likes what he has seen thus far from the team during practice.
“The attitude is great, there are a lot of people out here working hard,” Hurst said.
At the fullback position, Hurst said he has improved in finding gaps at the line of scrimmage as well as learning the plays.
Hurst is looking forward to being on the field during a practice game against rival Pace High School on Friday.
“I can’t wait, last year I didn’t get too many carries,” Hurst said. “This year, I am expecting to be starting, so I am looking forward to it.”
Teammate Dustin Goodwin, who is finishing his junior year at the school, liked what he has seen from the team during practice.
“Everybody has been on the same page so far,” Goodwin said. “We got a great group of guys.”
Goodwin, who is expected to share backfield duties with Hurst this season, is expected to set an example for the younger players on the team.
“We try and encourage them to stay on the right path, not as much on the field but off the field too,” he said. ‘They see (senior players) as the big brother.”
Marsh is pleased by the players so far, including the incoming freshmen class.
“We are looking to improve everywhere,” he said. “It’s a good freshmen class and they are going to be sophomores next year; we have a good group of young men and they are working hard, so I am happy with the effort so far this spring.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Football: Milton sizing up talent with Spring Practice