TENNERTON – The 2023 football season for the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers is officially under way after Monday was the first day teams across the state could get started with their fall camps.
Third-year head coach Zach Davis welcomed 57 players to the first day of practice Monday evening at Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium.
The breakdown of the roster shows 14 seniors, eight juniors, 10 sophomores and a huge freshmen class of 25.
Davis said the first day of practice went well.
“It went well,” stated Davis. “What a beautiful day for a first practice. It was a pretty typical day one for us. I think everyone feels good on day one. We picked up right where we left off during our three-week period in the summer. It was a pretty seamless transition actually. It’s not like we changed anything so that should be expected.”
Davis remarked this first week he is looking for players who are learning and getting better each day.
“We are working on our fundamentals this week, but we are keeping an eye on who improves throughout the week. This Saturday, we have an intra-squad scrimmage and we will make some decisions there, then make more decisions after the next scrimmage until we get to the opener. When we get to that first game, we will put on the field what we think is our best product.”
Davis said the 57 players is a solid number for his Bucs and a good number to create competition in camp.
“That is a pretty good number,” said Davis. “We have a lot of guys that want to play and that is what we want. Every player has to earn a starting spot. Now there are a lot of players that put a lot of money in the bank to get better, so it is going to be hard for them to lose their job, but it can happen and I have seen it happen, but it will take a lot from some to lose their job.”
Davis stated that his squad has a positive attitude heading into the 2023 season.
“We have a great group of kids,” concluded Davis. “This is a fun group to coach. We have really good young men that are a joy to coach and that is what makes it enjoyable for me.”
The Bucs will open their season Friday, Aug 25 hosting Bridgeport.
