Battle Mountain High School football season officially returned last week with heat acclimation and conditioning drills. Coach Mitch Domagala held an early morning practice at 12 a.m. Saturday called Midnight Madness.
Midnight Madness traditionally kicks off the new season of Longhorn football, but this year Domagala started four days earlier than last year.
“Hell week doesn’t officially start until Monday (August 7) where the players will only be wearing their helmets and start two-a-day practices,” said Domagala.”
This year the Longhorns are showing potential to be a strong team with 15 seniors returning. The team will also benefit from eight home games at Tim Knight Field behind Eleanor Lemaire Junior High School.
“We had a strong turnout for the team this year almost 50 kids wanting to play,” Domagala said. “Now we need to get them into shape.”
The Longhorn coaches are trying to implement the playbook, so the players will know what jobs they need to do.
New assistant coach Torrey Vezina brings a new wrinkle to the Longhorn playbook with coaches and players alike learning the new scheme.
“We want you to get the basic concept down and then we can expand it,” Veznia told the team.”
Domagala wants his players committed to winning and has challenged his players to correct their eating habits. Domagala addressed his players.
“We no longer eat any more ice cream, fellas,” said the coach. “Saturday morning, after practice you can have some barbeque, eat some dessert but come Monday we start two-a-days.”
“Do you want to be a good team or a great team?” Vezina said “Because taking care of your body and listening to what your coaches have to say will help you be a great team.”
The Longhorns took the field Saturday morning to a small crowd and were announced to the town for the first time in their game uniforms.
Coaches recreated a game-night atmosphere complete with music and crowd noise ringing through the cool night air.
The team practiced special teams and showcased a potential advantage they will have in the coming season.
Former soccer player, turned special team kicker, Nestor Miramontes gives the Longhorns the ability to score when they fall short of the end zone. A strong special team unit can be make all the difference for the upcoming season.
“If we can get him (Miramontes) to settle down and just kick, we could have something,” Domagala said.”
The Longhorns have high expectations for the upcoming season but, as the coaches constantly reminded players, high expectations achieved come with hard work and dedication to the team.
