Byers focuses on basics; season opener Thursday

It’s “Football 101” for the H.W. Byers Lions during preseason practice.

“We’re working a lot on the basics,” said new head coach Mario Lane. “We have to be fundamentally sound.”

He is working with a roster of just 17 players, with about 10 of those being seniors.

“We’re getting some good leadership out of those seniors,” Lane said. “We just have to generate some interest in the younger grades. We have to change the culture.”

The Lions played in a preseason jamboree last Friday at Potts Camp. They start the regular season at home this Thursday night, Aug. 28, versus Byhalia.

Lane said his Byers players are “good kids” who are showing a lot of spirit in preseason camp despite the low numbers.

“We can’t get too fancy in what we are doing right now – just blocking and tackling,” he said. “It’s going to be a slow build, but we can get it done here.”

Lane said he appreciates the support of administrators at Byers and in the Marshall County School District as a whole.

“That support is a big plus,” he said.

The rest of the non-district portion of the schedule includes Friday, Sept. 5, at Holly Springs; Friday, Sept. 12, home versus North Panola; Friday, Sept. 26, at Thrasher; Friday, Oct. 3, at Rosa Fort; and Thursday, Oct. 9, home versus Smithville. Region 21A games will include Friday, Oct. 17, at Potts Camp; Friday, Oct. 24, home versus Falkner; and Thursday, Oct. 30, home versus Ashland.