Prep Football Training Camps: Bedford has 115 practice together

TEMPERANCE – Bedford has 115 kids out for football this season from grades 9 through 12.

All 115 players are going through the same drills, same workouts and hearing the same coaching technique. That’s because head coach John Phillip has adopted the practice strategy of getting everyone in all grades on the same page.

“I like it,” Phillips said. “I think it’s the best way. It works. The kids are all here working their butts off.’

Bedford is not the only Monroe County Region school employing the one-practice fits all scheme. Born out of the fifth-quarter rule, among other things, it allows freshman and sophomores – the typical junior varsity-aged kids – the chance to learn from varsity coaches as well as the older players.

Kyle Klocek, a returning starter at tackle, takes that role seriously.

“I see myself in that same position a couple of years ago,” Klocek said. “I want to teach the younger kids how to do things the right way, the right technique.”

Klocek, who has multiple offers to play Division 3 college football, said he’s gained a ton of confidence over the years, learning from coaches and other players. He’s ready to pass that on to the younger Mules.

“I myself have become a lot more self-disciplined and motivated with what I do,” he said. “I’m excited for the season. I think we can make a deep run. There are a lot of good guys out here.”

Right next to him on the offensive line is Connor Green.

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“He’s been a leader all summer,” Phillips said of Green, a third-year starter at guard.

Green said he, too, has gained a lot of confidence over the years.

“I like how people try to take advantage of me because I’m little,” Green said. “I’ve started three years now. I can be a leader and show the younger kids how to play.”

Last season, Drew Logsdon was thrown to the fire after injuries saw Bedford down a couple of would-be starting quarterbacks. Logsdon came into the game for the second half of Bedford’s playoff loss to Livonia Franklin. A junior, Logsdon appears to be the Mule starting signal-caller to start the season.

“He spent the summer leading us,” Phillips said. “He had a great 7-on-7 at UT (University of Toledo). I want to see what he does with pads on.”

Logsdon, a junior, said he was very nervous when he came into the huddle during the playoff, but has eased into his role as the Mule quarterback by now.

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“After the first hit I took, I felt, ‘Okay, I’m good now,’” he said. “I was nervous then, but now I feel a lot better. I’m ready to get back to work. … I’m looking forward to this year. We have a good team. I’m excited to play.”

He’s spent the summer working on his footwork and throwing the ball. He said that work has paid off.

Klocek said Logsdon has already developed into a leader in the huddle.

“He’s a great leader,” he said. “If we need to do something better, he’ll tell us.”

Owen Przybylski had 298 yards on 60 carries and scored 3 touchdowns a year ago, making him one of the top returning rushers for Bedford.

“I’m way more confident now than I was as a freshman,” he said. “I’m ready. I’ve improved and picked up a lot of skill since my freshman year.”

Bedford’s practice plan trick is to keep all 115 kids moving, motivated and involved throughout the practice. The players break into position groups often to get one-on-one coaching. Most of the conditioning took place in the summer months when the state allows players and coaches to get together for pre-determined set of time.

Phillips said instead of traditional conditioning, his practice plans are meant to keep everyone involved. With so little time for pre-season practice, Phillips said the team needs every minute it can working on technique, plays and fine-turning things.

“We devise our practice schedule is trying to do as much conditioning we can into the drill. If they are in a drill, they are going full speed,” he said. “Our two-a-days have to be football focused.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Prep Football Training Camps: Bedford has 115 practice together