CRESTVIEW — High school spring football practice is as much a part of Deep South culture as sweet tea and Momma’s fried chicken.
Spring practice can help define a young player trying to make his mark on the team.
But while spring practice still thrives in the Sun Belt states, there is no high school spring practice for Midwest football teams.
And as summer programs expand, the question becomes, "Is there still a place for spring football practice?"
'NOT HIGH PRESSURE'
Baker School football Coach Matt Brunson has unbridled enthusiasm for spring practice.
“We get about 15 or 20 days in the spring, and I think it’s something the kids look forward to,” he said. “We work out hard from January to the beginning of May, and we get out there and get to look at some kids in some different positions.
“Maybe we can tinker with some offense or defense game plans, scheme-wise. I think the kids enjoy it. I enjoy getting out there with them.”
Brunson said one of the best things about spring ball is the low key approach coaches can take.
“It’s not a high pressure situation because we are not getting ready for a game on Friday night,” he said.
TAKING CHANCES
Crestview High School Coach Tim Hatten is less enthusiastic about spring football, but that’s not to say he doesn’t see a purpose for it.
“I don’t hate it,” he said. “I don’t love it. But I really don’t consider it a necessary evil."
“Is it worth it?" he said. "I don’t know. The biggest thing about spring football is getting somebody hurt. You just take a chance (on injuries).
"If you don’t have any injuries and you are working on getting kids ready, where you don’t have a returning starter — certainly at the quarterback position — it can be crucial and it would certainly be worth it. If you have a returning starter, it probably wouldn’t be worth it.”
Brunson agreed about the potential risk of injuries.
“The thing I hate about spring is when somebody gets injured,” he said. “I hate it when anybody gets hurt. But it’s the time of year when, if we didn’t do live contact drills, maybe someone would avoid an injury.”
'DIMINISHED' VALUE
Brunson, who played high school football at Baker and has spent his entire coaching career in Florida, says spring football, Florida style, is the only thing he knows.
“I think it’s perfect,” he said. “I enjoy it. But it’s what I’m used to, too.
“I think it’s good, being at the end of the year after baseball is over and starting May 1. We get 20 days, 15 in pads, and are able to play a spring game where you have an opponent at the end.”
Brunson said that teams can make a little money off the spring game, too.
Hatten said spring football could be shortened since everyone is doing an expanded summer program.
“I’m not sure we need 20 days,” he said. “I think we could probably scale it down to 15. I think some states do go 15.
“Fifteen would be as good as 20. I think here we go three days in shorts and shirts and two days in shells (helmets and shoulder pads). We could probably do three days in shorts and go straight to the pads.”
Hatten’s views are based on the expanded summer programs.
“In the old days, you had spring and you didn’t see the kids for two months,” he said. “You saw them again in August. Those days are long gone.
“So the value of spring practice has diminished because we do see them all summer long.”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spring football practice: Is it necessary? (VIDEO)