COVINGTON, Ga. — First year head coach Spencer Fortson and the Alcovy Tigers hit the ground running with spring practice the last couple of weeks. The team’s spring schedule concluded with a intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. 

According to Fortson, it wasn’t a traditional spring practice for Alcovy. 

“That first week [of spring practice] was more of trying to see how tough the kids are, see some of their agilities and just see what type of kids we have before we move forward,” Fortson said. “The second week we were more focused on trying to do some of our basic stuff scheme-wise. So they can understand some of the things that we’re trying to do.” 

The Tigers are coming off a monumental year in 2021 by capturing the program’s first ever region championship. But, the goal for the intrasquad scrimmage wasn’t focusing on the 2022 regular season, Fortson said.

However, it was all about formulating an aggressive identity. 

“We want to be competitive,” Fortson said. “We want to find out who really wants to play football. We’re looking for guys to come out here and compete and to show us what they got in a game situation.” 

An added attention to the Tigers this offseason has been the hiring of Fortson, who is in his first ever head coaching role. Fortson was a previously the defensive coordinator for the crosstown rival, Newton Rams. 

And, while Fortson highlighted how there has been an noticeable adjustment from coordinator to head coach, he acknowledged how he and the Tigers are “excited” to see what this season holds. 

“The kids have been buying into the stuff that we been telling them and introducing to them,” Fortson said. “I got a bunch of men around me who is locked in and understands everything we’re trying to do. We’re ready to make some changes here and keep this program moving forward.” 

Now that the Tigers’ spring practice is over and summer workouts will begin shortly, Fortson highlighted the plan for how the summer will go for Alcovy the next couple of months. 

“Our main focus is to make sure to hit the weight room, get into a strength and conditioning program and and try to get about 5-10 pounds on each player. I also want to make sure they understand our philosophy and work on their techniques so we can be the best team when the season starts. We’ll be able to see the product of that work and see how far our kids progress.”