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Normally during the summer, high school football teams go through a slow install of their offensive, defensive and special team game plans to make sure everyone is on the same page.

However, Morristown West has not found that to be the case this summer.

While losing some key pieces from last year’s team, the Trojans also return a very large core group of players with a lot of playing experience. Because of that, the summer has been focused a lot on fixing the small details instead of starting from the beginning and building up from scratch.

That veteran leadership was put on full display last week as West traveled to Sullivan East to participate in a 7-on-7 Tournament. The Trojans finished in fourth-place in a very talented field of teams.

“Our guys understand scheme wise what we’re trying to do so now during 7-on-7, they’re coming to us and saying we need to run this because of this,” Morristown West coach Alvin Sanders said. “That’s very good because it means we’re close to being on the same page. And then when you have veteran guys who know what’s going on, they’re teaching the younger guys and passing on the knowledge. They know what to expect and know what it was like when they were coming in.”

During the 7-on-7, Sanders was encouraged by the play of his team and their ability on both sides of the ball. While he saw some things to correct, Sanders acknowledged that this team is already farther along than most at this point in the summer.

“It’s probably the best we have looked overall at this point in the preseason,” Sanders said. “Just coming out and throwing the football and competing. We got beat by two very good teams. Our wide receivers and quarterbacks looked like seasoned veterans. We have to pick up a little bit of slack, but I am very happy with where we’re at in the summer.

Over the summer for West, the goal has been all about continuing to grow and building off of last year. In 2022, the Trojans finished second in the region and won their opening round playoff game against Sevier County.

“We’re trying to build off of the success we had last year and just learning from the mistakes,” Sanders said. “The summer has just been full of growth. The number of kids we have is growing and is really exciting. We have almost 55 freshmen that have come out. We’re really excited about the overall growth of the program now and not being happy with yesterday and trying to outwork today.”

One of those mistakes that Sanders noticed last season and something the Trojans are trying to work on this summer is fixing the small details. Sanders said that not following through on the small details may have been the difference in a handful of games last year, and he doesn’t want to see the same result this season.

“It’s the small details that are slipping us up a little bit,” Sanders said. “Just how important it is to step the right way, hand placement, eye discipline and that type stuff. We’re really harping on our guys about those things because that is the difference in last year and the chance of winning three more games. You clean that type of stuff up and your position in the playoffs might be different and a game may break differently.”

Offensively, Sanders said that the leadership in the wide receiver group by Bricyn Gudger and Bereket Evans has been good to see. At running back, the Trojans are having to replace Tison Johnson but have a good group of guys that are getting better each day.

“From a running back standpoint, it’s been the younger guys that have caught my eye with their overall effort,” Sanders said. “It’s pushed other guys to increase their level. The overall competition is growing. We couldn’t be more happy as a coaching staff.”

On the defensive line, Sanders pointed out Giovanni Chavez as someone who has had a great offseason. Chavez was a key piece on the defensive line for West last season.

The Trojans also return two starters on the offensive line, and Sanders is excited to see how everyone gels together beginning later in the week when the pads come on.

“From 7-on-7, I know what the limitations are for my skill guys so I know what to work on with them,” Sanders said. “But from a lineman standpoint and just in the box, I don’t really know until we get pads on. We’re a lot stronger than we were from spring practice, but that’s been a long time ago. Just getting pads on and seeing where they are at and what they understand in terms of communication. That part of it I am still a little anxious about, but I have been really happy with our guys and their effort.”

As is normally the case in preseason, Morristown West has put together some challenging scrimmages to get their players ready for the regular season. That scrimmage schedule starts next Friday as West hosts Science Hill at Burke-Toney Stadium.

For Sanders, he’s excited to get to that point and to see how his kids respond to the physicality and speed that the Hilltoppers will bring.

“Going against Science Hill is going to be a great test for us,” Sanders said.