Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Prep football season is here

Clayton Jones/News-Sun
Hobbs' Lucas Medrano goes through a drill
while Hobbs coach Charles Gleghorn looks on
during practice Monday at Watson Stadium.
  I headed out to the Hobbs football team's practice Monday and I noticed a little extra pep in the step of the Eagles.
  And who could blame them.
  After months of preparation of lifting, running and drills – it is finally game week as the season begins Friday.
  Whether it's Hobbs traveling to Gadsden, Lovington going to Artesia, Eunice playing rival and Lea County foe Jal or Tatum traveling to Albuquerque to play Foothill – football is back and the excitement can be felt throughout the county.
  Hobbs will be looking to win its third straight season opener after winning the last two season openers against Gadsden.
  The bigger story is, of course, the Charles Gleghorn era begins at Hobbs. Can his spread, no-huddle offense that has set state records in New Mexico bring success to the Eagles – a program that has lost 14 of its last 17 games, has one playoff win since 1982 (and has gone 99-207 since then) and hasn't won an outright district title since 1974 and a state title since 1972.
  It's not going to be an easy fix and patience will be needed, but the excitement from Hobbs fans is warranted. Just being around practice, there is a different vibe at Hobbs. Much more energy surrounds the program.
  There will be bumps in the road. Adversity will strike. How the program deals with adversity, something Hobbs football hasn't dealt with well over the years, will show how much this program has grown.
  After months of studying and preparation, the Eagles' first test is Friday – and thank goodness because it means football is back.