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Despite working out from 7 a.m. until around 11:30 a.m. when the temperatures were a little cooler, with a half-hour break from 8:45-9:15 a.m., the Blazers couldn't disguise their exhaustion as they completed another running drill.

Players have to circle the coaches and jog from sideline to sideline, in 5yard increments, all the way down the 100-yard field until they reach the other goal line. Well, it wasn't the goal line because the Blazers weren't running on the football field, but the practice field behind it. But, it still was 100 yards long.

And it seemed all of 100 yards and then some by the time everyone reached the end of it Wednesday, Aug. "Yes, they're getting run down a little bit," first-year Kalkaska head coach Ted Collins said on Wednesday, Aug. 8. But, we're just going keep moving, and keep their energy levels high.

"Really, they've been doing a great job. We've got about 50 kids now, both junior varsity and varsity, so the numbers are getting back up there." Some of the players draped themselves over the fence when they had finished the grueling drill, huffing and puffing as their teammates sank down on the grass and threw their heads back in relief. No doubt they were also relieved to realize that they would finally be putting on pads and starting to execute offensive and defensive schemes the next day. Throwing a football around occasionally between running and sprinting exercises isn't the same as going through plays they'll actually use in a game.

Transition is easier than expected

Collins was anxious as well to start implementing some of the changes in the Blazers' game plans he's been working on during summer sessions with his coaching staff. Keeping the players excited for the next couple of weeks until the regular season kicks off on Aug. 24 at Manton is the staff 's biggest challenge. Assuming the reigns from long-time coach Kevin Taylor, who stepped down after 16 years as head coach following the conclusion of last season, is a daunting task for Collins.

But, it's one he's finding easier than expected, thanks to the willingness of the players to make the adjustment.

Part of that is because Taylor is helping out this year, lending support to Collins' program.

"It is a transition. Like I said before, Kevin was running a good program here, and it's been an easier transition than I kind of expected. "The players love football here. They want be successful. It's just a matter of getting these kids in the right direction. I think that we're headed in the right direction. We just have put it all together."

Anticipation level is high

Kalkaska has a pre-season scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 17 at Benzie Central where the Blazers could also see Mason County Central Whitehall.

It starts at 11 a.m. so the teams can finish before 3 p.m., when the heat index rises to oppressive levels.

Collins wanted a good mix for the scrimmage, to give the Blazers a chance to demonstrate their own abilities, and still be tested by good teams. He thinks he's accomplished that by going Benzie Central, a program that has enjoyed success in the recent past, and always possesses quick running backs. Mason County Central Whitehall also offer unique challenges.

"My goal is to scrimmage against good teams," he said. "Make sure that we're in scrimmage where we're competitive, but we're also going against teams that are going to make us better.

"Like I've said before, this (Lake Michigan) conference is a tough conference. We're looking up right now, trying to find out who the competition is in the league.

"I think the kids will be ready to go next Friday. They'll be tired of hitting each other. That's the nice thing about the scrimmage. They have some fun, and play football."

Collins will also get an opportunity to see how much of his system the Blazers have been able to assimilate at this stage of the pre-season. Measuring their progress at game speed, against an opponent, will help Collins learn how much still needs to be done.

And he knows that there'll be plenty of talking points once the film of the scrimmage is reviewed. But there's an air of excitement in the air the new season approaches, especially with new man at the helm.