The reasoning is that the OSSAA allows for 10 days of full-pad practices in the spring. In the summer, teams go to full-pad camps.

“Really, to be blunt, it kind of sets you back a bit,” McCray said. “For those first three days, the OSSAA kind of hamstrings you.”

Choices, choices

Purcell needs a new quarterback. It isn’t lacking candidates.

Four players will compete for the right to lead the Dragons this season. The only problem is, the oldest player is just a sophomore.

“Obviously it’s a concern,” Purcell coach Mike Wilson said. “We’re in a pretty tough district (3A-2). There’s a lot of good teams and you’d hate to throw a freshman out there against them. But they are all talented, they really are.”

The candidates include sophomore Hunter Marcum, and freshmen Cole Swayze, Colton Wrenn and Dylan Wilson.