The Lake Oconee Academy football team began its summer practice schedule last week.
The team didn’t have spring practice, so head coach Patrick Stewart was eager to see his players hit the field.
The Titans held two practices and workouts before participating in a 7-on-7 camp at Athens Academy on June 4.
“It went well,” Stewart said. “That was really our third day of the summer. We didn’t have a spring practice because the baseball team went far into the playoffs, which is good, but we were missing a lot of players. It was the first time our guys [had to compete against an opponent] in a long time, but they picked things up fast.”
During the 7-on-7 camp, LOA faced bigger schools such as Parkview, Morgan County, White County, and Athens Academy. The Titans struggled against tough competition, but there were also some positive takeaways.
Returning quarterback Ty Hiter impressed and made challenging throws to several pass catchers. The Titans’ skill players got open downfield, and the rising junior distributed the ball to them into tight windows.
Stewart knows that the group could be difference-makers this season.
“Our skill group is really strong,” Stewart said. “They’re all relatively veterans with a lot of experience, and many of them played as freshmen three years ago. And when they face tougher teams, like we did against Parkview, they don’t back down. They enjoy competing and like to get after it, so that was really good to see.”
Stewart said his defense also bowed its necks a few times and didn’t let teams score in the red zone. More importantly, though, he wanted to see how his offense performed after the departure of quarterback Ike O’Neal.
Stewart wished Jake McDonald, a returning rising sophomore signal caller, could have attended the camp last week. However, the third-year coach believed that Hiter held his own against the solid competition he faced.
“Jake couldn’t be there because he was on vacation, but I thought that Ty performed well,” Stewart said.
Hiter and McDonald will compete against each other to be the starting quarterback this summer. They each have different skill sets; one has a better arm, while the other is more mobile and can escape the pocket to make plays.
“Both are super tough,” Stewart said of his quarterbacks. “They both carry that trait. Jake is more of a natural pocket passer. He has a really good arm. On the other hand, Ty has great footwork, a strong ability to run the ball, and the skill to make plays happen outside the pocket. They both have factors that can help us this year.”
Stewart thinks they could rotate in games this season, but knows one must win the starting job. He also said that each one has embraced the competition, and they make each other better with every rep in a revamped offense.
According to Stewart, the Titans are transitioning to a more run-oriented offense, but will still throw the ball.
“Offensively, we’re doing a different scheme this year based on our personnel,” Stewart said. “Both guys have different, unique abilities for this new scheme, so it’s going to be interesting to see them battle it out.”