Published: August 16, 2008 02:51 pm            

Intensity builds for Black and Gold

Friday marked a definite and pronounced change in the practice sessions for the McAlester Buffaloes.

It was the first day in full pads and the players and coaches knew the stakes were higher.

Coaches were shouting motivation to the players and they were responding in kind.

“Lets see some hitting today. Are you ready to start hitting today?” MHS coach Nik Claiborn yelled.

The players responded in kind yelling, “first day in full pads.”

MHS coaches started the Buffs out slowly, letting them get accustomed to the full contact. However, as the practice session continued, intensity and determination kept building with each snap or whistle blow.

The Buffs were also getting ready for the Black and Gold scrimmage, which has come to represent the start of football season for many Buffaloe fans.

This year the coaches were asking people who attended the scrimmage to bring sports drinks or water.

During the scrimmage the MHS varsity defenders looked very sharp as they were going against the junior varsity ofense.

The defensive line was coming off the ball very quick and kept applying pressure to the JV offense.

Buffaloes assistant coach Ruben Elizarde continued to motivate the defensive players.

“That’s right, hustle in there,” Elizarde encouraged.

“If we can keep pushing them back we can get a safety and score on defense.”

Contact Glen Eller at geller@mcalesternews.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.