By Clare Merryman
The spring football game is less than a week away. Every year, schools throughout Florida participate in a spring game after hosting 20 team practices. This year, the Dolphins will take on Palm Glades Prep in a home contest on Wednesday, May 18 at 6 p.m.
The purpose of the spring game is to introduce potential new players to the sport. It gives young athletes an opportunity to get a feel for what the fall team will be like before diving head first into a long season.
“The spring season is much shorter and less intense compared to the fall season, which is all grind,” said head coach Mac Childress.
This spring, about 50 players originally came out to play. However, the heat and constant physical impact isn’t for everyone, so the team is currently sitting at about 40 committed players.
“We’re really happy with this number,” said Childress. “It’s about double the players we ended up with last fall.” He believes the current roster will follow through when the regular season resumes in the fall.
Assisting Childress are coaches Sean Roussin, Sean McDonald, Carl Stanton, Chris Flingos and Andre Garvey. “When coaching a team, you want the best people to surround you, both on and off the field,” Mac said. “I am lucky to have a group that is always pumped and ready to put in the work.”
With several returning veterans and a larger program, the coaching staff will look to change up their practice plan this spring, breaking the team down into smaller groups to give players more individual reps and improve the roster from top to bottom.
In their last matchup with Palm Glades in 2021, Marathon earned a 7-0 win. The Fins will use the upcoming game as a way to judge their improvement as well as an indicator of team weaknesses to target before the regular season kicks off in August.
