Thomas brings in new era for Indians (with VIDEO, PHOTOS)

   FORT WALTON BEACH - When Choctawhatchee kicks off the 2008 football season Sept.5 at Gulf Breeze, it will signal the dawn of a new era on the Indians' campus.

First-year coach Greg Thomas, who arrived in January, brought with him a championship pedigree.

In nine seasons at JH Rose High School in Greenville, N.C., Thomas' teams reached the playoffs seven times and earned three conference championships.

From 2003 to 2006, Rose won the Class 4A state championship.

So when he arrived on the campus of Choctawhatchee, his first priority wasn't necessarily to name a starting quarterback or plug holes along the offensive line.

Instead, it was to change the culture of the Indians' locker room.

Following a physical spring camp, Thomas introduced the Indians to a more demanding summer program.

"I think we're going to have to make Marines out of them, so to speak," Thomas explained. "We are lacking in a lot of areas, hopefully we can make up for it in other areas."

Namely, in the Indians' strength and conditioning, two facets that both the coach and his players believe they are already seeing significant gains.

"It's been real good for us," senior lineman Terren Jones said. "I feel lighter because of all the running we do. We know it's our last year, we're ready for it."

For Thomas, a more strenuous offseason regimen will hopefully not only build the Indians' physical strength, but also their mental toughness.

And while defections and player attrition were to be expected, Thomas holds firm that the program will benefit from the new direction.

"(We are) holding kids accountable," Thomas said. "We've lost a lot of players because of that this year, but we're trying to build a program here, not just a good football team.

"I think it's going to take time, but I think the majority of our kids have bought into it. It's not always fun, but I think it's going to help us in the long run."

As for the Indians' concerns at quarterback, rising senior David Weber emerged from spring drills as the starter and was elected as a team captain by his teammates.

"He's our guy," Thomas said. "We have all the confidence in him."

Then there is the offensive line, which outside of returning starters Jones and Jordan Davis, is short on experience.

"They're young and it's a different style of play for them," Thomas said. "But they're getting better each week."

PHOTOS: Click to view photos from practice