Daniels happy with spring practice, jamboree

H.W. Byers challenged itself against some larger schools in its own spring jamboree.

The Class 1A Lions went up against 3A foes Byhalia and Independence in scrimmage sessions May 7. They also went up against a district rival, Ashland.

“That’s what you need in the spring,” coach Chris Daniels said, “so the kids can say, `hey, this is football.’ It really helped our younger kids.”

He certainly saw some things he liked, especially the play of quarterback Michael James, who is going into his junior year.

“He’s ready for a breakout season,” Daniels said. “He made some big plays in the jamboree, and we look forward to seeing him play the next two seasons.”

Senior cornerback Devin Moore, who his coach said is on the recruiting radar of lots of colleges, also stood out in the jamboree.

The spring, as usual, focused on fundamentals.

“And it’s a chance to see who can do what before going into the fall,” Daniels said. “In the fall, our time is limited to get ready for game one of the season.”

Most importantly, the jamboree went extremely well for all the teams and none experienced injuries.

“It was good just to have a spring (after experiencing the COVID shutdown a year ago),” he said, “and we’re looking forward to having a summer, too. We have the opportunity to get bigger, stronger and faster during the summer, and that will help.”

Daniels, the head-coaching veteran in Marshall County, is entering his ninth season at the helm of the Lions.

Byers has a full schedule of 10 games. Last year the team missed its final four games due to COVID and needed just one win to make the playoffs.

This year the Lions will be part of a new-look district. Baldwyn and Myrtle moved up to 2A. Coldwater shifted to District 2.

District 1-1A opponents for the Lions will be Ashland, Biggersville, Falkner, Okolona, Smithville, Thrasher and Tupelo Christian.

“It didn’t get any easier — that’s for sure,” Daniels said. The goal, he added, is to get through the summer workouts, conditioning and seven-on-seven with no injuries.

“Then we can come into the fall ready to go,” he said.