Spring football: Niceville looking to get tough

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

travisd@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE - All was relatively quiet on the Niceville practice fields Tuesday afternoon when the Eagles reported for practice.

Coach John Hicks educated his players on the finer points of punt protection while the rest of the team stood on the sideline.

Then, everything changed at the sound of Hicks' whistle and the singular command he barked afterwards - "boards."

The Eagles responded with a roar and sprinted the length of the practice field to the end zone where several wooden planks awaited them.

One-by-one, pairs of players faced off in a test of strength as those watching - and waiting their turn - cheered on.

And just like that, the Eagles' first day in full pads began.

"It was nice to get some contact for the first time," Michael White said. "We've been working hard in the weight room."

But while the players were excited to put on the pads, Hicks walked back into the Eagles' fieldhouse afterwards less than satisfied.

"I thought it was pretty soft, really," Hicks said. "We have a ways to go, but we knew that."

As Niceville continues its preparation for the 2008 season on the heels of a fifth-straight District 1-5A title, Hicks and his staff are in search of answers at the most critical of positions - quarterback.

With the graduation of the Daily News' big school Player of the Year in Josh McDorman, Hicks is hopeful of finding the Eagles' heir over the course of the next few weeks.

"That is probably first and foremost where we're trying to find some answers," Hicks said. "You can't do it in shorts, you have to get them under fire and under pressure."

As many as six players are currently in the race, and Hicks tabbed the competition "wide-open."

Niceville is also retooling along the offensive front, where zero starters return from a year ago.

"We're working with a lot of people at the offensive line and seeing what the depth chart is going to be," Hicks said.

Following a two-hour practice on Tuesday, Hicks voiced little concern as to who would eventually fill the gaps on the Eagles' depth chart.

For Hicks, time will tell.

"We're doing a few things well right now," Hicks said. "Hopefully we'll get better as the spring goes."