The football team completed spring training practices, affectionately known as “Spring Ball,” this week as the spring game, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, was cancelled due to bad weather. The game will not be rescheduled, according to head coach Gregg Miller.

The UIL rules state that a team may complete 18 days of full padded practice within 30 days in the spring and then have one week of two-a-days before school begins, or have two weeks of two-a-day practices in the summer.

Unlike like other programs that practice a few days a week and take about a month to do complete their practice, the Farmers went for 18 straight days excluding Sundays, the one day that teams can not practice on as mandated by UIL rules.

“I would rather have the 18 days of full-pad practice where it’s nice and cool, where’s there’s no pressure of the game Friday night, no hurry up,” Miller said. “It’s just more of a fundamental time for your coaches and your athletes. There’s a whole lot less pressure on you.”

Miller uses spring ball to see where his team stands heading into the summer, and to pick out his starters.

“You come out of the spring and go into the fall with a much better grasp on your depth chart about how much kids progressed over the offseason as opposed wondering all summer, ‘Well, I wonder if he’s strong enough to do this,’” Miller said.

Next season, the Farmers will be facing the same difficult eight district opponents as they did this past fall, including two-time defending state champion Allen. Lewisville went 3-5 against these opponents, but Miller is undaunted by this.

“It’s a good district,” Miller said. “I like being in this district. If you’re going to lose, I’d rather lose to the great ones. If you can compete in this district, which we’re starting to do, you’re a pretty dang good team. I’m anxious to get started; our kids are hungry.”

Lewisville will be facing this district without the aid of offensive coordinator Jeryl Brixey or defensive coordinator Chad Haug, both of whom have left over the offseason for other schools. These positions were filled in house by quarterbacks coach Brandon Franklin and inside linebackers coach Jon Kaehn, respectively.

“I want to keep improving as we’ve improved,” Miller said. “And both those guys have done a good job of being dedicated and loyal, and understanding what we’re trying to do with our offense and defense.”