Reloading Fair Grove kicks off football practice

Hello everyone I'm Dan Lucy on the Ozarks First digital desk.

Monday was a special day at high school's across the Show-Me State.

It was the first day that practices could be held for fall sports.

And that means football team's put on their helmets, and only their helmets, and stepped on the gridiron.

They can move to full pads at the end of the week.

For teams like Fair Grove, it's the first step on that the Eagles hope will be a return to the Show-Me Bowl and a state championship game.

Last year, the Eagles took a 14-0 record into Faurot Field and played their arch nemesis Lamar for the Class 2 State Championship.

Fair Grove rallied in the game after trailing 20-7, to take a 25-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

But Lamar scored a late touchdown and won the game, 28-25.

Fair Grove finished second, and would love to get back to the state championship game and finish the job.

But the Eagles graduated a talented senior class that was 26-2 over the last two seasons.

Five of those players were All-State including the quarterback Spensar Seiger.

All that is now in the past.

The current Fair Grove Eagles gathered for their first fall workout of the season Monday morning.

There will be a number of familiar faces in new places for the Eagles.

And a number of younger players will get their opportunity to keep the tradition going at Fair Grove.

We talked with defensive coordinator Paul Thomas and talked about the importance of turning the page and keeping positive.

Paul Thomas/Fair Grove Defensive coordinator:"We're excited to get them together and watch them compete."

Fans and opponents will look at the class that just graduated and write off the Eagles as being in a rebuilding program.

The players will take exception to that, including junior Kolton Klindworth.

Defensively he's moving from linebacker to defensive end.

Offensively, Kolton will do his best Travis Kelce imitation at tight end.

He, and his teammates are chomping at the bit to get the new season kicked off.

Kolton Klindworth/Fair Grove junior:"We're focused on getting back to state, can't wait to get started."

If you noticed, a thunderstorm rolled into fair grove when our videographer Eric Redus was at practice.

It was a cool relief to the hot and humid August that we've all endured.

And with football season finally here, cool weather is right around the corner.

For more sports watch Ozarks First news at nine and ten.

And I'll see you then.