Football practice officially kicks off Monday at Lake Highlands. Defensive back David Green is among the players getting ready, although Green is a little busier than most. He was a regional qualifier in both track and golf last spring, but football is his focus for now.

Q: What have the players been doing this summer?

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A: We have been pretty busy with 6 a.m. summer workouts lately. Even though it’s summer we are still dedicated and working hard. The off-season finished on a good note this year. We have a lot of returning starters that will help lead the team.

Q: Any players who might surprise us this fall?

A: There were quite a few guys that stepped up and impressed us and I think y’all will get to see them a little bit this year on Friday nights. I wish I could name everybody, but I’ll just stick to a few guys.

Zack Knickman, one of our senior captains, will be a big threat offensively at fullback and definitely at linebacker, so watch out for him. Michael Ketchmark and Trent Jones will be battling for the starting quarterback spot. Both of them will be sophomores. They have some pretty big shoes to fill so we are really excited to see how they are going to perform under the pressure of living up to Ricky [Zorn].

You will also probably see Roderick Mackey play a little more running back. He will still play linebacker but as you saw a little from last year, he’s deadly with the ball in his hand and we want to utilize that.

Again, I wish I could mention everybody because all those guys have something special to offer the team.

Q: What’s going to be the focus of two-a-days?

A: The main thing we are looking to is getting to see how this team is going to come together. We lost a lot of great players in the senior class last year but I think the group of guys we have this year will be able to get the job done. I think it will be the closest team we have had since I have been there, which is what a team needs if they want to be successful.

Q: Did you play in any of the 7-on-7 games?

A: Unfortunately, I didn’t get to participate in 7-on-7 this summer due to the hamstring injury I suffered at the end of track season. But I have rehabbed well and am ready to go.

Nike Sparq had their guys come out to our school a few weeks ago and host a combine for the guys on the team. I don’t mean to brag, but I had the fastest 40-yard dash time with a 4.35. This was laser-timed, by the way. It was a big indication to me that my hamstring was back to normal.