![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3qdJsl_0uyaTUKc00](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=3qdJsl_0uyaTUKc00)
With the first day of school just around the corner for both public (Aug. 26) and private schools (Aug. 20), the student athletes of said schools have already chimed in for Fall Sports play.
Volleyball has had uninterrupted practices and training, while the outdoor sports (football, soccer and cross country) have suffered due to in climate weather, consisting of the blazing heat and non-stop waves of rain. Those sports have been robbed of much needed practice days.
“Bertie High School has a great opportunity to build on the legacy and hard work of past years. My focus is to enhance and solidify the skills that have been set in motion, all while introducing new methods and ideas to prepare our athletes for the next level,” said Bertie High School football coach Roanld Pou. “We have two mottos for the year: hard work and dedication are our foundation maker, that holds up our core phrase ‘Go hard or go home’.”
The Bertie football team has much to look forward to. One, being guided by a new skipper in Pou. Secondly, to finally place cleats on a newly renovated field at the Roy L. Bond Stadium.
The stadium’s makeover took longer than expected to complete last season, which unfortunately eliminated the benefit of participating in home games.
The Bertie Falcons will travel to Northeastern High School for non-conference play at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23.
Lawrence Academy football is also underway with new leadership in head coach Robert Brown. The former Bertie High School Athletic Director, baseball and football coach will share his plethora of knowledge on the gridiron with the Lawrence football team.
The Lawrence football team has lost many star athletes to either graduation or school transfers, but the new coach feels extremely positive in the direction the football is heading.
“The kids have been working hard in the weight room and are now carrying that work effort to the field. We had 20 days of weight training during June and July that has resulted in our being stronger and in much better condition than when we started,” Brown said. “They have done a great job of buying into what we have been implementing for the season.”
“It always takes some time when a new staff comes in and changes everything, but they have done a great job of picking up the new offense and defense philosophies and understanding why we are doing certain things a certain way,” he continued. “I think we will be much better offensively and defensively this year. I feel we will be very competitive this year and with a few breaks, be in the mix for the conference championship.”
The Warriors will host a non-conference game at home against Columbia High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.
Comments / 0