(Editors note: Information and photographs for this article were taken from out content partner at residentpress.com)
Area football teams descended upon Hackett Hornet territory this past Tuesday to test their skills and preparation against teams who they’ll see in the fall, and a few they won’t see again.
Soon after 9 a.m., the air was filled with sounds of whistles, and voices from the stands.
The sounds of impact on the field echoed along the 100-yard area where teams collided against each other on both sides of the 50-yard line.
Teams took turns on both sides of the ball, rotating throughout the morning facing opponents testing their offensive, and defensive strategies, and formations.
Three of the participating teams in the event are slated to be included in Inside Fort Smith’s Arkansas High School game of the Week broadcasts in the Fall.
“It’s a good way to start the summer right, heading into Fall. At this point it’s about conditioning, and working out the kinks. Having a 7-on-7 camp the night before against Alma gave us an opportunity to evaluate our guys on how they respond when they are tired,” Hackett coach Lonnie Hester said. “We are in the process of trying to put a couple of pieces in place. This Camp (along with everything we do leading up to the season) helps us evaluate our guys and where they best fit.”
Hackett opens the 2017 season on September 1 hosting Pocola.
Mansfield coach Craig Bentley expressed appreciation that his Tigers were included in the camp.
“Overall I was pleased with our showing at the Hackett Team Camp. I truly believe we have the potential to do good things this year after seeing how both the offense, and defense reacted to situations that were unteachable,” said Bentley. ” We have good size, good strength, and are polished fundamentally. Thanks to Coach Hester got having us over; he’s a class act and does a great job!”
Waldron also participated in the camp.
“We truly enjoyed ourselves at the team camp in Hackett. The Hornets are a class act, and did a great job with hosting us, and organizing this event. These camps present our coaching staff, and players on the fly problems we don’t normally see with the teams we play in regular season,” said Waldron coach Ricky May. “It helps us make those corrections, and gives the players a teachable experience. We’re ready, and we feel good.”
Mansfield and Waldron square off in their traditional season opener on September 1 in Waldron.
