Uncertainty Abound, admirals Forge Ahead

Joe Maine and the Farragut Admirals got to work on Bill Clabo Field in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker)

As questions about the 2020 high school football season continue to multiply, the Admirals continue to forge ahead with off-season workouts. While this summer has been anything but routine for the Farragut Football Admirals, a new sense of normalcy is beginning to set in. Whether it is having your temperature checked upon arrival, supplying your own water, or being required to wear a face mask at times, players are settling into the new routine.

Dawson Moore and the Farragut Admirals got to work on Bill Clabo Field in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker and 5Star Preps)

Summer workouts are typically the final preparation point for a player before the grind of two-a-days and the regular season begin. Summer workouts not only prepare the body, but also the mind for all of the details that a season necessitates. Players reported May 26th, after the Knox County Health Department gave the go-ahead and set strict guidelines for having organized team activities

Trey Nesbitt and the Farragut Admirals got to work on Bill Clabo Field in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker and 5Star Preps)

With the exception of large group activities, workouts have followed a very similar structure as in years past. The one glaring difference has been the absence of 7-on-7 activities. June and the first part of July is typically the time where quarterbacks, wide receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs are able to compete against other teams and get the competitive juices following before putting on pads.

Even though we are at the point where shoulder pads should be popping, we are still in a holding pattern awaiting the green light to enter the next phase of practice.

Matt White and the Farragut Admirals got to work on Bill Clabo Field in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker and 5Star Preps)

The season was set to begin on August 21st when Bradley County traveled to Bill Clabo Field, but that contest is looking more uncertain with every passing day that there is no more guidance from state officials. The governing body of Tennessee high school athletics, the TSSAA, did announce contingency plans for football if the current ban on contact sports is not lifted before Aug. 29th. You can read more about that plan by clicking here. The ban, as it stands, does not allow for padded football practice until August 29th. From then, it would take at least a couple of weeks for full preparation before a season could commence.

Whenever the season does begin, the Admirals will be well prepared and ready for the challenge that is 6A football. The summer workouts, even in there altered state, are the catalyst for that preparation. Stay tuned to this website, as well as our Twitter feed, click here for that, for all the latest information and updates about the upcoming season.

A special thanks to Danny Parker and 5Star Preps for covering workouts and shooting some wonderful photos and the video above, a full article and gallery are available by CLICKING HERE. Should you be interested in purchasing a picture or two, please email Danny at ParkerPhotography@Yahoo.com.