Looking to solidify the foundation of its team on the offensive and defensive lines, A&M Consolidated will start spring football workouts Monday.
The Tigers will take advantage of the UIL rule that allow teams from Class 5A and 4A to have 18 spring practices in pads and begin preseason workouts one week later in August. Consol will stuff six of those sessions into the opening week, practicing after school Monday through Friday and then having an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday morning.
Competition at the quarterback spot often draws attention of fans and members of the media, but Consol coach Jim Slaughter said the Tigers' most vital work will be done in the trenches.
"Probably where spring practice is most important is for your offensive and defensive linemen," Slaughter said. "A lot of your 'skill positions' you pretty well know about and have the opportunity to see in 7-on-7 and other things. It's really hard to see how those offensive and defensive linemen are going to perform until you get them out there in the spring."
The Tigers will practice from 4-6 p.m. Consol is scheduled to scrimmage at the end of each of its four weeks of drills, with the spring game set for May 14.
Along with shoring up both lines, Consol coaches will be looking to replace four senior starters at linebacker.
Consol will enter spring drills lacking experience at quarterback. Dillen Ashton, who played in a backup role as a junior last season, is expected to miss spring football workouts because he is a member of the Consol baseball team. Parris Colbert and Seth Toups, who will also be seniors, are expected to get the majority of work at the position.