By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

Fall camps are coming to a close, and the real season is about to begin for a couple of local Alabama Independent School Association teams.

Coaches of the Meadowview Christian School Trojans and the Ellwood Christian Academy Eagles are polishing up the game plans and getting their players ready for the start of the regular season next Friday.

The Trojans open at home against Ashford Academy at 7 p.m., while the Eagles go on the road to play Kingwood Christian School at 7 p.m.

“This week we’re trying to work mostly on our conditioning,” said John Glasscock, head coach of Meadowview. “We’re trying to polish up our stuff and we’re a little bit away from running things with perfection.”

Glasscock said the Trojans have also been focusing on the timing of the offense, getting players in position to make plays and special teams.

“We’ve worked a lot on our kicking game this week and we just need more reps on that,” Glasscock said. “Mainly, we’re just trying to get it all in this week and the first of next week get it all perfected and polished.”

Glasscock said the Trojans have already begun watching film on Ashford, a team whose coaching staff coached at Dixie Academy last year against Meadowview.

The Eagles have also begun scouting their first opponent.

“We’re trying to go over what they do on offense and what they do on defense,” said Mike Stokes, head coach of Ellwood Christian. “We’re continuing to work on our offense and defense and getting a little better at conditioning.”

The Eagles have also been getting ready for the contact of a full-speed game.

Stokes said he’s seen some improvement in the team’s tackling drills.

“Sometimes it’s been a challenge and it still is, but from day one up until now, it’s gotten better,” Stokes said.

Stokes said it’s going to be a challenge for his team, not only playing they’re first game of the season, but also having to play on the road.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us, especially with a young team,” Stokes said. “But I just feel like, with the work we’ve put in, hopefully we can overcome that challenge.”

Glasscock said he doesn’t think the nervousness of starting the season has hit his players yet.

“There’s a certain amount of nervousness with the kids when it comes to the first game, but I haven’t noticed that yet,” Glasscock said.

“It normally doesn’t hit them until about two days before they play.”