The Cornersville Bulldogs football team began their preparations for the 2013 season in earnest when they donned full pads for the first time last week.

Although new head coach John Denton has been a member of the CHS staff for four years, he has incorporated some changes in the Bulldogs practice routine.

With music blaring from the football field's speaker system, Cornersville began practice with passing and line drills before the offense ran plays against the defense.

Fast pace

"We've started playing music during practice and the kids love that. It helps keep the team's energy up. We want to create an up tempo environment," said Denton.

After working on their no huddle offense, the defensive backs and linebackers conducted tacking drills while the offensive and defensive lineman worked on their blocking and pass rushing techniques.

"Since our numbers are a little down this year, we're trying to control contact as much as possible. We want to be fundamentally sound and we have contact when we need it, but we also don't want to have anyone get hurt in practice," said Denton. "We don't have that many kids so it doesn't take that long to go through tacking drills."

Advance planning

The Bulldogs then sharpened their passing attack with a 7-on-7 drill before covering the offensive and defensive formations of Fayetteville High School, who they played in a scrimmage on Friday.

"When we go into a game week, we have our plays already scripted and run those during the week. I like having a practice plan. It helps me be better prepared and it helps the kids be better prepared," said Denton.

Cornersville finally concluded practice with the offense running their two-minute drill.

Timing

Denton has also added another wrinkle to the Bulldogs' practice regimen by using a running clock on the scoreboard and allotting a set amount of time for each session.

"We make a schedule of what we want to do and prioritize what we want to do. It helps to keep us on track and from spending too much time on one thing because we don't want to have marathon practices. A lot of spread teams in college do it," said Denton.

Although he has encountered some new challenges by becoming a head coach, Denton appears to be adapting quickly to the position and is eager for the season to start.

"It's exciting and it's different than what I thought it would be. It's tough being the head coach. As an assistant coach I just had to focus on my position. Now I have to focus on everything on and off the field," said Denton. "When someone asks a question about something, I have to answer it. I love the game though and love being around this group of players."

New approach

While the Bulldogs currently have only 25 players on their roster, Denton believes he has a number of quality individuals on his team that are trying to pave the way for the future success of the program.

"We've got a good group of kids that are trying to change the culture here. They want to be successful and want to learn. We have a strong junior class and they're trying to take the reins of this team. Coach (Ray) Stocstill left a good foundation for me, but we're trying to take that next step," said Denton. "I think the kids have responded well to me. When I took the job, I told them that I wasn't going to change who I was. Since I'm a younger guy, I think I can relate to them well."

Cornersville football fans will have a chance to check out the Bulldogs on August 16 when they take on Cannon County in the Pigskin Preview at Preston Hopkins Field.