The offense worked on its passing game during the first day of practice this past Monday for Lindale High School. (Photo by Terry Cannon)
Yep, it’s hot, just as it should be in August.
But despite the heat, the Lindale High School Eagles are hard at it on the practice field in preparation for another successful football season, which will begin Aug. 29.
This year’s season opener is on Thursday at Eagle Stadium against Head Coach Chris Cochran’s alma mater, Hallsville.
“(The Thursday game) is different for sure,’’ said Cochran. “This year there’s been a shortage of game officials so we were asked to move our opening game on Thursday, which we were happy to do.’’
A Thursday night game isn’t the only new thing added to the Eagles’ to-do list for the 2024 season. New, but familiar, faces have been added to the District 9-4A schedule as well.
Longview Pine Tree, while a regular pre-district foe in the past, moved down in classification this season after February’s UIL realignment and will join regulars Henderson, Kilgore, Palestine and Chapel Hill as well as former LHS district opponent Mabank.
Players cool off during a break from practice this past Monday at Lindale High School. This was the first day of workouts for the Eagles. (Photo by Terry Cannon)
The Panthers were in Lindale’s district two seasons ago and are moving from 8-4A.
Cochran wasn’t surprised with the additions and subtractions on the Eagles’ schedule this year. It was felt by several observers prior to the realignment that Pine Tree would indeed be in Lindale’s district, instead of a non-district foe.
“This District of Doom, as it’s called, only got tougher with Pine Tree,’’ he said. “They are a good, well coached program and it will be a challenge. It’s going to be up to us to accept that challenge.’’
Last year, the Pirates grabbed a 42-22 in a week two matchup.
“That game was one of those that we’d like to have back,’’ said Cochran. “Not taking anything away from Pine Tree, but we just didn’t play well.’’
Those 2023 Pirates earned a berth in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs, only to lose to Lovejoy, 34-6.
Pine Tree returns seven offensive and four defensive starters from last year’s 6-5 team. Their 4-2 district record was good enough for fourth place in District 8-5A. One of their league wins was against eventual district champ Texas High.
Mabank will come to Lindale on Oct. 25 which will be the Eagles’ Homecoming game.
The Panthers had a rough go of it last year. They were winless in five tries in District 8-4A and managed a 1-9 overall record.
Offensively, Mabank returns five starters and will have 10 back on defense and these players will no doubt face a tough task in trying to navigate District 9-4A, home of not just the Eagles but state powers Kilgore and Chapel Hill. Palestine and Henderson round out the district teams.
In addition to Hallsville, the Eagles will face Mount Pleasant (there, Sept. 6), Van (there, Sept. 13) and Gilmer at Eagle Stadium on Sept. 20 in non-district action.
District play begins on Sept. 27 with a road game in Chapel Hill.
By Terry Cannon, Editor