Panthers are working hard, huffing and puffing under Kennedy

By Rex Kirts

In the slack weeks between coaching changes, South's football players managed to get a bit out of shape. They are learning that wasn't a good idea.
With Kirk Kennedy in command for just over a week, the Panthers are being whipped into shape. They are learning it's not a good idea to eat before a Kennedy workout.
Sounding strong and clear over the yardlines at Fred Huff Field are such Kennedyisms as:
"Find anther gear."
"We've gotta out-work our opponents."
"Earn the right to be here."
"Get out of your comfort zone."
AND FROM strength coach David Schunk: "Empty your tanks."
It's not easy being a Panther nowadays. The drills in the heat and humidity are hard. But those who work hard and make it through the program will be better football players.
Senior safety Derek Murphy, a returning starter, said, "I like him (Kennedy). He's doing things different. Go out there and get it done. Go all out. He wants you to do things his way, and I like that."
More from Kennedy:
"Quit being self-limiting."
"Don't be selfish."
"We're winning and losing football games right now."
"Effort is a non-talent issue."
"There will be greatness here again. The only variable is time (will it come this year, next year or when?)"
MOST OF THE varsity candidates practice three days a week in the morning. Freshmen and the varsity players who can't make it in the morning come in the evening.
"It's coming a little bit at a time," Kennedy said of the work progress. "There's a gap between reality and potential. We're going to be working hard every day to achieve our potential. We'll grow in small increments every day."
As his comments show, Kennedy works on the mental as well as the physical.
"We've got to extend ourselves. We were horribly out of shape. Not just physically," he said.
So far, most of the workouts have been conditioning only. Soon, his brand of Xs and Os will be introduced. He believes in a strong defense and a strong running game, but he will throw the ball if the personnel is right. Kennedy's basic running game, out of the I formation, consist of isolations, counters, kicks (an off-tackle power play) and handoff and pitch sweeps.
LIFT-A-THON JULY 28: The players are currently engaged in raising money for a lift-a-thon July 28. Prior to that, on July 7, there will be equipment issue, at which time the players need to pay $50.