PSJ football prepares for Maclay

Port St. Joe changed its pre-season routine by holding football practice under the lights at Shark Field on Friday, August 13 as the 2021 campaign grows ever closer.

The Tiger Sharks open the season with a kickoff classic against the Maclay Marauders in Tallahassee tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.

With the high school band playing and fans in the stands, the Shark coaches led the team through a crisp regimen of drills and stations on the immaculately manicured grass before beginning what Coach Tanner Jones called “PUP – passes under pressure,” with the defense blitzing on every play.

“We’re trying to get (senior quarterback) Colin (Amison) used to calling out his blocking up front, and the linemen to slide and identify” who to block, said Jones.

The session resembled a two-minute drill, with the offense hustling after every play to get ready for the next one. Since Jones favors a “be the storm” philosophy, such frenetic play will put pressure on any defense that Port St. Joe faces this season.

What can fans expect from the Maclay contest?

“The first half is going to be like a real game, minus special teams, ” said Jones, All kickoffs and punts will be blown dead upon the reception, but “field goals and extra points will be live.”

Jones intends to “play our (first team) the first and second quarters, and after the half they will get the first drive on offense and defense, and then we’ll start subbing more 2’s (second team) in. The fourth quarter will be our JV guys.”

Jones described Maclay as a “spread team – they’ll run quads, they’ll run trips. They run a lot of what we do, but they’re a lot more run-oriented than we are.”

Those who can’t make the trip to Tallahassee tomorrow night can view the Tiger Sharks in action at home next Friday night when they host the Marianna Bulldogs in the season opener.