TRENTON — Signs of the approaching high school football season were visible Monday as several people sat in the stands at Edgewood High School’s Kumler Field to watch the Cougars work out on the first day of a week-long camp.
Edgewood will use the remainder of its allotted 10 days of summer workouts this week with a general focus on installing a new offensive scheme.
“It’s been a while since we did some skills training in June,” said first-year coach Phil Mauro, who is switching the traditional run-oriented Cougars’ offense to more of a spread style. “The first year is always more difficult, but they are getting it down and giving good effort.”
At least one senior agreed.
“We just have to get more reps,” said Kyle Spampinato, primarily a defensive player who noted that he’s been getting some work on offense as well.
“I’m getting excited about the season,” he continued. “We’ve got a new coach and everything has been upbeat. It’s high energy. Everyone is trying to show that they can play.”
Edgewood will wrap up its week of camp by joining Franklin in a three-team 7-on-7 passing camp Friday morning at Miamisburg.
“Right now, we’re working with a lot of numbers,” Mauro said. “We’re trying to figure who fits where, but we’ll start scaling that down and I think the 7-on-7 will be a good change of pace because kids like to compete.”
Last year, Edgewood was 5-5 overall and 4-1 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division. Teams can officially begin two-a-day practices Aug. 1.
“The kids have had a great attitude,” Mauro said. “They are being positive and they’re picking things up. It’s so hard to evaluate right now. I’m ready to see them in pads, but I’m very pleased so far.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.