LOUDONVILLE — Chin straps snapped, pads in place, the hitting was for real with a genuine opponent on Friday night when most area high school football teams engaged in their first live scrimmage.
That was also the setting in Loudonville, where the Redbirds hosted the Cubs in a clash emphasizing repetitions, not the scoreboard.
Loudonville endured a tough-luck 3-7 campaign last year, dropping three games by a touchdown or less. First-year coach Keith Lemke hopes to continue the program’s turnaround this fall.
Lucas went 5-6 last season, but reached the playoffs after winning its final three regular-season outings. Coach Jim Sweat is in his third year with the Cubs, who have a brutal schedule including Division VI state runner-up Hopewell-Loudon, Region 23 champ Colonel Crawford, and Region 22 runner-up Carey.
Here’s a peak at the hitting on Friday night in the Mohican Valley.
Photos by Diane Bemiller
