PREP SUMMER WORKOUTS: Trinity going through NFL-style OTAs this week

Quarterback Thompson McNees throws a pass during a recent Trinity workout. The Wildcats will participate in an OTA today against Bibb County and Beauregard. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Trinity’s workout against Marbury on Wednesday provided an opportunity for several underclassmen to see more playing time, which is good for a squad replacing several skill players on both sides of the ball from a year ago. 

“We had six kids out at a youth camp,” Trinity coach Brian Seymore said. “We had three other kids attend the North Alabama (showcase) at Wetumpka today -- two linemen and Xavier Boswell. So we had a bunch of young kids that had to play today. I was happy how we executed at times. Do we need to shore up some things? Definitely. 

“Obviously, we’ve got to clean up a few things. At times we executed things really well, at times we were sloppy. Credit goes to Marbury, they made it tough on us at times.”

The two teams went through an OTA -- an NFL term for organized team activities which includes the entire roster working out before the start of official fall practice. There were eight possessions by the first team, four offensive, four defensive, along with four possessions for the younger players that will likely comprise the junior varsity. One period is set aside for inside running, another for red zone work.

“It’s good for both teams,” Seymore said. “It’s a way to get a lot of people in there and get a lot of reps. I thought it was positive today, especially with as many young kids as we had to play today.”

Both teams had two red zone possessions. Trinity’s first possession ended with a Thompson McNees interception, but the Wildcat quarterback redeemed himself on the second possession with a nifty run up the middle for a touchdown. 

The Wildcats are still working on the installation of this year’s offense, Seymore noted. They will return to the field on Thursday with an OTA scheduled against Beauregard and Bibb County. 

”You can only do so much against your own team (in practice),” Seymore said. “You’re not going to get the same kind of fire, the same kind of energy, the same competitive nature. When you bring other teams in, it makes your kids play a little harder.”

After Thursday’s practice, the Wildcats will turn to strength and conditioning workouts as all teams in the state take a week off for Alabama All-Stars Sports Week. They will return to the field on July 23 and July 24 for two final OTAs. 

Trinity opens fall practice on Monday, July 29. 

“I’m eager to get the pads on,” Seymore said. “You can only do so much in shorts.”