FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE - Tawas Area quarterback, Ricky Payea, drops back to pass Friday during a home scrimmage against Evart. The Braves also scrimmaged against St. Louis and Sanford-Meridian. - Photo by John Morris

Football season kicks off Friday
by Jeff Thomas

TAWAS CITY - It’s the middle of August; the weather is hot; the beaches are full, and the pads are popping at Tawas Area High School.

The 2006 gridiron season opens Friday for the “new look” Braves as Tawas Area kicks off at 7:30 p.m. against non-league opponent Harrison.
The Braves opened the 2006 season Aug. 7 with training camp at the high school. Players gathered the previous day to pitch tents in preparation for the three-day camp.

New Tawas Area Head Coach Tim Webb and his assistants did not waste any time getting things into gear. Weightlifting has been in full swing all summer long. A 7-on-7 camp at Alma College and twice-a-day practices all came to an end on Thursday. Friday was the capper of the training camp with a scrimmage at the Tawas football field against Evart, St. Louis and Sanford-Meridian.

Coaches and players say they’re looking forward to the upcoming season.

“I’m looking forward to seeing success for the team, having a good season and doing well in the conference,” says returning varsity player and senior, Eric Stein.

When asked about the strengths of the team and how camp went this year, he said, “I think the strengths are fast running backs and receivers and having quick linemen. Camp went real well.

“We got a lot accomplished, without any injuries, and we were able to pick up the new system that Coach Webb brought with him.”

A new attitude and confidence seems to have come with the new system as well. The coaches and players seemed to have “electricity” running through them at Friday’s scrimmage.

The defense, led by senior linebacker Josh Thomas and senior Evan St. Aubin, swarmed on the ball wherever it went. And the offense ran on all cylinders with an amazing touchdown catch by Stein.

Power and speed would describe the Braves’ running game, power by fullback Josh Thomas and speed by junior running back Alex Verlac.

In other Iosco County gridiron action Friday, Oscoda heads down to Flint Hamady for a 7 p.m. contest, Hale will travel to Brethren for a 7:30 p.m. game and Whittemore-Prescott will host Mio-AuSable at 7:30 p.m.

A new attitude and confidence seems to have come with the new system as well. The coaches and players seemed to have “electricity” running through them at Friday’s scrimmage.

The defense, led by senior linebacker Josh Thomas and senior Evan St. Aubin, swarmed on the ball wherever it went. And the offense ran on all cylinders with an amazing touchdown catch by Stein.

Power and speed would describe the Braves’ running game, power by fullback Josh Thomas and speed by junior running back Alex Verlac.

In other Iosco County gridiron action Friday, Oscoda heads down to Flint Hamady for a 7 p.m. contest, Hale will travel to Brethren for a 7:30 p.m. game and Whittemore-Prescott will host Mio-AuSable at 7:30 p.m.