Low numbers make it tough for Reeves

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 2, 2000

Huntngton Head Coach Gerald Reeves said knew coming in he was going to have his hands full, but not quite in the way they are now.

Reeves, who was recently hired as head football coach of Huntington High School’s football team, said after his team’s second day of practice in pads that he’s not used to coaching so few players.

&uot;We’ve got about 20 guys out right now, and coming from where I come from, that’s not a lot,&uot; he said. &uot;Although, I am working with eight seniors, so that’s a plus.&uot;

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Reeves, who is coming from Neville High School in Monroe, La., said he is still trying to get acclimated to working with such a minimal number of players.

&uot;I’m coming from a school that on an average has 120 guys come out, to a school that gets 20 guys out. It’s hard,&uot; he said.

Another hill Reeves is having to climb is getting to know his players and getting to know the system.

&uot;Even though I do have some help from some other coaches who’ve been here before, it’s still hard to coach that well when you don’t know half your offense’s names,&uot; he said.

Reeves did mention, however, that his team is being patient with him, and are learning right along with him.

Reeves feels like the lack of numbers can only hurt.

&uot;It penalizes you on trying to find enough warm bodies to put out on the field,&uot; he said

However, Reeves does see some improvement from last week, and he said there is a bright future for his squad.

&uot;There is a nucleus of a good team out there on the field, but there’s just not enough players out there to really form that nucleus,&uot; he said.