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Getting ready for changes
Published July 13, 2008
LOGANVILLE — After spending the past two years playing eight-man football, Loganville Christian Academy will begin competing in the more traditional 11-man game this fall.
For most of the players, it’s a whole new world.
“I told the kids that I’m going to treat you like you just fell down from Mars and landed at LCA,” said first-year Lions head football coach Andre King. “I’m having to teach most of them all over again.”
For someone as knowledgeable about the game as King, starting virtually from scratch has been a real challenge.
“I talk real slow in our team meetings,” said King, who played for the University of Miami and spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. “I encourage the kids to ask questions. I can’t take anything for granted.”
The Lions began their transition last May with nine days of practice.
The spring workouts culminated with a scrimmage against another school.
King has two more practice games scheduled before the season kicks off on Aug. 29.
LCA will travel to Dawson Street Christian of LaGrange on Aug. 15 and host Pinecrest Academy of Cumming on Aug. 23.
For now, the players are working out regularly in a barn that’s been converted into a weight room.
“A parent is letting us keep our weights there until we get our own place,” King said.
They are participating in several passing leagues, which pit the seven offensive skill-position players against seven defenders.
“The leagues provide on-the-job training,” King said. “We get to run our plays against another team trying to stop them. It teaches our guys to get the play in the huddle, read coverages, make adjustments.
“It’s a no-pressure situation that’s been priceless for us.”
King said he’s been pleased with how well and quickly the players are adjusting to the new game. But he has no illusions about the task ahead of him.
After beginning its football program as a member of the Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama, the Lions are joining the Georgia Independent School Association.
“The GISA is a very talented and difficult league,” King said. “I tell our kids we won’t be seeing any more 75-2 wins like they’ve seen in the past.
“We’re going to be in some tight games and the team that makes the least mistakes usually wins.”
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