The Greenville Lions will be putting on the pads for their first full contact football workout on Saturday.
The Lions started their 2025 workout on Monday afternoon in helmets and shorts with no contact drills as per the University Interscholastic League guidelines.
Starting on Wednesday they were allowed to practice in shells (helmets, shorts, shoulder pads and padded girdles) will still no contact allowed.
They are to report at 8 a.m. on Saturday and then have what’s called a County Fair at 8:15 a.m. and then a three-period drill for defense at 8:30 a.m. and a three-period drill for offense at 8:45 a.m.
The Lions are scheduled hold an intrasquad scrimmage starting at 9:05 a.m.
The Lions started a week behind most of the other area high school teams because they went through spring training. Teams in Classes 6A and 5A have the option to go through spring training but if they do they start a week later than 4A, 3A, 2A and A teams and only get one preseason scrimmage.
The Lions’ only preseason scrimmage is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Wills Point. They’ll kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 29 against Frisco Heritage at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco.
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Workouts have been going well for the Wolfe City Wolves, according to their head coach Brad Smithey.
“Kind of like we’ve hoped so far,” said Smithey. “High intensity. We’ve got good experience.”
Though the 8-3 Wolves made the playoffs for the 13th straight season in 2024, they were upset at the bi-district round 40-35 by a Coleman team that was 3-7.
“They’ve kind of taken that playoff loss to heart,” said Smithey. “They’re hungry.”
The Wolves will be led this season by one of the top rushers in the state in 2024: H.D. Davis. Davis, who has commited to play at Kansas State, ranked No. 2 in the state with 2,788 yards and 33 touchdowns on 267 carries. Davis also rushed for 1,088 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore in 2023 though missing seven games with an injury.
“That dude deserves every award given to him,” Smithey said last year when Davis was a repeat winner of the Greenville Herald-Banner’s Athlete of the Week award. “He’s the hardest worker in the room. Most respectable kid. He’s a coach’s dream.”
The Wolves’ list of returnees on offense isn’t limited to Davis. Also back is strong-armed quarterback Noah Adams. Adams, who tops 6-7 in height, emerged as the starter midway through last season, completing 79 of 133 attempts for 1,112 yards, 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Adams was also one of the Wolves’ top players in basketball and a standout pitcher in baseball.
Adams will have a couple of experienced receivers to throw to including Brennon Russell (29-638, 11 TDs) and Casen Pessel (24-219, TDs).
Chris Herron, a two-way standout, also caught 22 passes for 260 yards and two scores.
Davis also caught 13 passes for another 190 yards and two TDs.
Daniel Guillen, who is back at wide receiver, caught four passes for 40 yards.