Football team has impressed new coach

JASON PEAKE

Daily Mail Sports Editor

NEVADA -- So far, so good.

That's Wes Beachler's assessment of how his team's preseason practices have gone thus far.

Nevada High School's new head football coach said he's been impressed with the enthusiasm and attitudes the players have shown in practice over the past two weeks.

"With everything being new on both sides of the ball, the kids have had a lot to learn," Beachler said Thursday evening after his team finished practicing in the heat.

"It's going pretty good. We've had some lulls in practices at times when the kids are trying to figure things out, but I think we're getting those things worked out. The work ethics have been good.

"And I think their intensity has been good and their willingness to learn has been real good, as well."

Beachler said 79 athletes are out for football this year, freshmen through seniors.

The football team had around 45 players on the roster at the end of last season, so the numbers are up significantly at NHS.

Jamboree is tonight

The Tigers head to the Carl Junction Jamboree tonight. The event begins at 7 p.m. and also features Carthage, Monett and the host Bulldogs.

Nevada takes on Carthage in the first scrimmage, Carl Junction in the second, and then finishes the night against Monett.

Coach Beachler said he and his staff will use the Jamboree as a way to gauge where the team is at overall.

"The main thing is we're trying to see if there are any major deficiencies with our varsity team," Beachler said. "The coaching staff will be looking for any weaknesses that other teams could exploit."

After nearly two weeks of taking on each other in practice, Beachler noted his players are ready to go up against someone else.

"We're just anxious to see how we're going to do against another team's varsity," he said.

Next, Beachler said he has a good idea of what his starting lineup will be, but added that a few starting positions are still up in the air. Tonight's Jamboree could be a final indication of who will start, offensively and defensively, for the Tigers.

"We're still looking for kids to impress us," Beachler said.

And with the Jamboree's arrival, the 2011 season is officially set to begin. The season-opener is Friday, Aug. 26 at home against Warrensburg.

"We're as ready as we'll ever be," Beachler said. "We don't have a choice."