After a dead period, the Poplar Bluff Mules football practice was alive and kicking Monday morning.
The Mules were at Bacon Park at 8 a.m. in the first session of two-a-days leading up to the season opener August 26.
It was also the first practice for Mark Barousse who is returning to Poplar Bluff after 10 years coaching in Lafayette, La. until last season.
"You can tell we've had nine days off, we are not as sharp as when we came out of camp and stuff," Barousse said. "They will get it back pretty quick."
MSHSAA mandates a dead period before the start of the fall season in which coaches and players have no contact for a week.
The Mules held a team camp from July 18-29 but the first official practice started Monday. They ran line drills before breaking off into position groups and working on specific drills that applied to their spot on the field. As the team continues to practice throughout the week, each position will become more clear.
"I think we will be all right," Barousse said. "We still have some question marks but I think everybody does this time of the year.
"But we are starting to figure it out."
Each position coach was passionately teaching his group, making the most of the first day.
"The attitude has been good, tempo is what we are worried about," Barousse said. "We want to practice fast and get a lot of reps in.
"We are changing that a little bit, just the tempo of play and the hustle, we are just trying to turn it up a notch."
Barousse was head coach of the Mules from 1997- 2001 and the Mules had a record of 34-18.
The Mules finished last season with just one win and are planning on taking this season in stride.
"We are going to take it one step at a time," Barousse said. "We are going to try to get better out here every day.
"We are looking forward to the jamboree in two weeks."
The Mules will have an open offense that predicates itself on fast play.
"We are going to be a spread offense," Barousse said. "We will play with a tight end sometimes, we are going to be four-wide sometimes."
Barousse said it is important that his team is in peak physical condition heading into this season.
"We need to be in shape," Barousse said. "We have got some guys that can run, we just need to get them the ball in open space.
"If we can spread the field and keep people from loading up against the run, I think we will be all right."
Throughout the opening weeks, defense will be a key while the offense gets more comfortable with its plays.
"I am hoping we are good on defense early," Barousse said. "It will give us time to mature on offense.
"If we can play good defense early, I think we will be OK."
The Mules offensive line will feature all new players but Barousse said the group is enthusiastic and quick on picking up their assignments.
"We have five new guys up front on the O-line," Barousse said. "They are getting it, the are starting to pick it up.
"It is baby steps right now, they are starting to get better."
After two home games to start the season against Vashon (Aug. 26) and New Madrid Central (Sept. 2), the Mules will face Savannah at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Webb City.
The Mules open SEMO North Conference play Sept. 16 at defending champion Sikeston before homecoming on Sept. 23 against visiting Gosnell, Ark. and two more conference road games, at Farmington (Sept. 30) and Cape Central (Oct. 7). District play begins Oct. 14 when Poplar Bluff hosts Jackson and the Mules also host Rockwood Summit (Oct. 21) before closing the regular season Oct. 27 at Seckman.