Cougars prep for season

Published 11:05 am Sunday, July 20, 2008

By By Chandler Myers
Self motivation is an important quality to possess when you want to become the best and that is a quality the Escambia Academy Cougars possess, according to head football coach Heath Gibson.
The Cougars are in the midst of their summer workouts and are taking on a steady regiment of strength building and conditioning to make sure they are ready for the start of practices as well as their season opener.
Gibson said workouts are going well and he is proud of the motivation and dedication they have shown all summer.
He added getting up that early in the morning during summer vacation is a hard thing for some to do.
Cougar workouts take place three days a week with the workouts running from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. on Monday Tuesday and Thursday
Gibson said it takes a lot for a guy to get up that early three days a week, but has not had one complaint out of his players.
He added that he sees how motivated his players are for those three hours during each session and is impressed.
The players go through the same reps as most other football programs with weight lifting.
Gibson said they work through the important lifts that help develop the most important muscles for a football player.
Conditioning is also important to competing constantly on a football field and the Cougars have certain ways to improve it.
Gibson said his team does a lot of running, but they have also been participating in scrimmages to get in shape.
As with other coaches and their weight lifting programs , Gibson sees a boost in morale as well as a mental maturity when his guys participate in the sessions.
Gibson said the team works together and comes together when they show up and everyone is there.

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