Spring football is a time to work on the fundamentals of the game. Look around during a practice, and blocking, tackling, route running and coverage skills are being practiced all over the field.

The practices are also a chance for younger players to make a splash as the pressure to prepare starters for game day is not present.

For Loudon, the first county team to put on the pads this spring, the two-week period is also about transition.

It is the first time teams have been allowed, by TSSAA rules, to fully practice since the end of the football season. For Loudon it is the first since Ronald Roberts' decision to step down as offensive coordinator of the team in order to serve as the school's athletic director.

Assistant football coach Clayton Stamey will serve as the team's offensive coordinator moving forward.

"As far as him taking over the offensive and doing the things necessary for that, that's the first adjustment we're making, getting used to the new staff positions," Head Coach Jeff Harig said.

The transition should be softened by the number of returning players for Loudon, with 65 of the team's 72-man roster from 2011 coming back for the 2012 season.

"It gives us a chance to build our depth," Harig said. "Right now, everybody is giving good effort."

The team is missing the starting quarterback and leading rusher from last season, Trent Elliott, who is playing with the Loudon baseball team, but Harig sees it as a chance for others to show what they can bring to the position.

"When you have an experienced kid that showed on Friday night what he can do, you know you can expect that next year," Harig said. "It gives other kids a chance to show what they've got, especially at quarterback, where Travis Brewer is really going to challenge Trent for that job. It really gives Travis a lot of experience and if nothing else it is just going to make us a better football team."

Loudon will have a chance to measure where they are at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, when the Redskins scrimmage the Seymour Eagles at home.