Allen era begins for Tazewell football

By LARRY HYPES

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

TAZEWELL, Va. — Tazewell is officially bringing the “A” game to the football field.

Shane Allen, the former Carroll County defensive coordinator who took the Tazewell High position in May replacing Brandon Tate, welcomed 54 football players Monday on the first day of practice for the 2012 season.

Allen and the THS staff opened drills after a successful summer three-days-per-week weightlifting session with an average attendance of between 35-50 prospective players.

On opening day, the Dogs welcomed 14 upperclassmen (10 seniors and four juniors) with 15 sophomores and 25 freshmen. Approximately 10 more players were in the process of obtaining physicals before beginning practice.

“We’re going to rely on the seniors because of their experience but I can tell you this — several of those younger players will have to play and I feel good because I believe they will be able to play and contribute to this team,” said Allen.

Allen said the first two-a-day practice “went well” and he was pleased with the effort as well as the attendance. He added that with the overall youth, there was and will be a lot of teaching going on in the summer sessions.

“More than anything, I want us to go at full speed,” he said. “Giving a 100 percent effort is necessary for success at any level.”

Allen notes that by the end of summer practice he has two basic goals for Tazewell football players to achieve.

“First, I expect that we will have a base defense in place that will be able to match up with whatever offensive front we will play against during the season.”

“Next, we will have 90 percent of our offense in place when the season starts. We are taking that one step at a time. We will not put in another play until we understand and can execute the one we are working on.”

Allen played four years of college ball at Ferrum after graduating from Carroll in ’94, returned to his alma mater and coached 14 seasons for the highly regarded Cavaliers, perennial playoff contenders from the Southwest District.

He is excited about building a program and brining a positive attitude back to the Bulldogs, who endured an 0-10 season a year ago and have not won since October 2010. He has already moved to Tazewell and is dedicated to the Green and White.

“Starting now, the most important thing is the next play,” he says.

“Hard work is the foundation of success and our players and coaches are going to build on that.”

Tazewell principal Rodney Reid, who visited summer practice several times and watched the opening day work out said, “We are going in the right direction. Our coaches and players have the same goal and we will see improvement.”

Tazewell will go into full pads on Monday, August 6 and begin regular evening practices just as the schedule will be during regular school session.

The Bulldogs will participate in two scrimmages with the first on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Concord University against Central (Va.) High and PikeView with the games at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tazewell will travel to Chilhowie for the annual Benefit Game on Friday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

A non-district game at George Wythe on August 24 is first regular season contest.