2 Teams, 2 Dreams 2 - A - D AY S
Rusk, Alto begin 2-a-day workouts
BY LELAND ACKER
he road to glory began Monday for the Rusk Eagles and the Alto Yellowjackets as both teams opened two-a-days. The Rusk Eagles look to extend their playoff streak to seven consecutive seasons, while the Alto Yellowjackets hope to repeat last year's state championship run.

(Left) Rusk assistant coach Tracy Kincade tosses the football to a Rusk running back during defensive pursuit drills. (Center) Alto's Juan Estrada and Derek Mumphreys practice blocking. (Right) Rusk quarterback Jared Colville follows lineman Matthew Davis while coach Rick Frauenberger, Trent Vaught and Michael Katon look on.

Eagle Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey said the keywords for two-a-days this year are conditioning and aggressiveness.

"We'll be running a more attacking style this year, so we're looking for aggressiveness from the players. It's kind of hard to do without the pads on, but we're looking for signs of aggressiveness."

Coach Mahaffey said the Eagles are adjusting their defensive approach.

"We're going to be more aggressive this year," he said. "We'll be attacking the offense more."

Coach Mahaffey said the Eagle offense will basically be the same offense as last year, but added the team will line up in the "I" formation more this year than in seasons past. He named Jared Colville as the starting quarterback for the Eagles.

"Colville is in that position, he's doing well," Coach Mahaffey said. "Someone will have to take it away from him."

Colville and wide receiver J.J. Session both expressed optimism about the offensive performance of the Eagles this season, noting that the team has a lot of returning starters. Colville will line up behind an experienced offensive line anchored by returning starters John Trotter, Kenny Trotter and Matthew Davis.

Defensively, the Eagles worked on pursuit drills and techniques for shutting down the running game.

The Eagles open their season in Mabank against the Panthers on Aug. 31.

Meanwhile, 12 miles south of Rusk on U.S. Hwy. 69, fans gathered at the "fence of knowledge" to get a first look at the Alto Yellowjackets.

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Jacket Head Coach Keith Gardner said the conditioning of the team looks good and the team is looking to fill some positions that were vacated by graduation last year. Those holes are on the offensive line, and on defense. Coach Gardner said Alto had some openings at wide receiver, but he thinks those holes are filled.

"We have eight defensive starters and five offensive starters back," Coach Gardner said.

"This is our third year in this system," he continued. "They understand what we are doing."

Coach Gardner said conditioning is a major focus during two-a-days.

"We'll work them into shape," he said.

Lance Low is the starting quarterback for the Mean Sting this season, said Coach Gardner.

"He did a good job in sevenon seven (earlier in the summer). We have two or three candidates getting reps in the back-up position," Coach Gardner said.

Alto's season begins Aug. 31 against San Augustine.

"That's where our focus lies, we're not overlooking anyone," he said.