Published: May 08, 2008 10:11 am         

Bayles pairing Bulldogs down in spring drills

McADAMS — Second-year McAdams head football coach Ras Bayles is a whole lot more interested in quality than quantity.

“We have only had about 17 or 18 out so far this spring, but I’m really pleased with that I’ve seen so for,” Bayles said. “I had to put up with a lot more disciplinary issues last year than I would have like too. I would rather have a small group that’s willing to work and wants to improve. This is a good group of 17 kids.”

Bayles said the Bulldogs have spent a lot of time working on some new formation and some new plays.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Bayles said of the upcoming season. “We are trying out some new plays, new ideas and a new offense.”

So far Bayles has been working Malcolm Fisher out at quarterback. One of the big losses from the McAdams offense last year is tailback Stephon Adams who had a very productive season.

“We have a bunch of fullback type guys out this year and that’s not bad,” Bayles said. “In a split back offense we can have two guys in there who both benched over 300 pounds.”

Lorenzo Newell and Kezean Ross have been working at those spots so far.

With a small number Bayles said conditioning was going to be a key and was one of the problems with last year’s team.

“I think we will be in better condition when the season starts,” he said. “Hopefully we will be ready to go. Having a spring with the team is going to be a big advantage. I got them right before the season started last year and it seems like we were always behind and we suffered because of that the whole year.”

The Bulldogs will conclude spring on Thursday, May 15 when they travel to Sebastopol for a spring jamboree. McAdams is schedule to face Pelahatchie, Thomastown and Edinburg in the event.

The regular season will kick-off on Aug. 29 when the Bulldogs pay a visit to Noxapater.