With the first week of official fall sports practices almost in the books, Russellville and Logan County high schools football programs look headed in the right direction. With each team going through a transition period, whether it be a coaching transition (the Cougars) or replacing 80-95 percent of the offensive production (the Panthers), the practices are starting to show their respective coaches what they kind of talent they will get to work with this season.

“We’re just trying to learn the basics as well as work on the fundamentals,” RHS head coach John Myers said “We have a lot of new faces that will have to play significant minutes at varsity.”

After losing two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation last year and a change in classes, going from Class 3A to Class A, the outlook for this season may not have been the brightest, but the coaching staff seems confident that they can continue their success this year and beyond.

Across town, Logan County is going through whole sale changes. Getting a new coaching staff and also a class move, from 4A to 5A, the new era of Cougars football is about to begin.

“We’ve obviously had a great attitude improvement, big improvement and what I mean by that is mental toughness,” new LCHS head coach Dain Gregory said “Starting to learn to play through the good and the bad.”

Yesterday both schools went to a 7-on-7 drills at Rhea Stadium to use it as an extended practice. LCHS, RHS as well as Todd Central County, Warren East and Butler County took part.

“It’s going to be really beneficial for us,” Myers said “It’s really just a glorified practice.”

LCHS has already participated in a few 7-on-7 practices this past week over at Franklin-Simpson high school, so this will just be another practice to get the team together and ready for the season.

“I saw a willingness to compete (in the 7-on-7 drills at Franklin) If we’re mentally prepared to compete, a lot of good things happen,” coach Gregory said.

This will be the first time these new and revamped RHS and LCHS team take to the field against each other and, while it won’t carry the intensity as the ‘Clash of the Cats’ game on October 28th, it will be the first time Coach Myers and Coach Gregory meet on the field of play as head coaching rivals.

“I expect coach Myers and I to start forming a great relationship,” coach Gregory said.

With the season nearly upon is, it’s time to finally start thinking about football. The road to a state title is a long road filled with hardship, but it all begins with the groundwork laid this week.

“Excited about the season and the possibility,” coach Myers said “Even though we’re young and inexperienced, the potential to be competitive is there.”