Hays Post Sports
HAYS - The TMP-Marian Monarchs football team opened year number
three under head coach Grant Stephenson on Monday afternoon.
The threat of severe weather in the Hays area forced the Monarchs inside for the first practice of the season.
“We got some good mental reps in and things that needed to be taught,” Stephenson said. “It was great to see the new assistants jump out and be so eager to help out.”
New to the staff this year are former Kansas State offensive linemen Hayden Gillum, Hayden Friend and Drew Labertew.
Gillium and Friend played for Stephenson at Plainville High School. Labertew is entering his second season as Activities Director at TMP.
Stephenson said the 33 players who took part in Monday’s practice are the most in his three years as Monarchs’ head coach.
“Numbers are growing. That's another positive,” Stephenson said. “And, we can just hopefully get all on the same page and make something happen this year.”
The Monarchs open the season on Thursday, Sept. 4, at home against the Russell Broncos.
Stephenson said the first two weeks are all about making sure that kids understand what is being asked of them.
“If we can understand our jobs, understand the details and execute things properly going into that game one, then I'll be super proud of our guys,” Stephenson said. “But that also falls on us; we have got to be able to coach and teach him everything leading up to that.”
TMP will host a jamboree with Plainville and Larned on Aug. 29 at Lewis Field.