“We don’t want them on the couch, eating potato chips and watching ‘Oprah,’ if they’re on ranches working or doing something else meaningful, okay, but the weight room is open for those who have the time.”

The words flow from head football coach, David Yeager, who can’t do any coaching in the summer, but he can certainly encourage his boys to pursue strength and conditioning and maybe some running on the practice field.

What’s the question from the back row? Oh, no, a football is not allowed during these preseason get-togethers.

“We’re in a very tough district,” tight end Walker Woolman correctly states, “so we have to be stronger than we’ve ever been and bring it every game. You put in the extra time in the summer, and you have a chance to win games in the fall in the fourth quarter, with a big tackle or block or catch.”

Walker, who had eight touchdown receptions from quarterback, Trey Brooks, in 2007, is recuperating from having both knees “cleaned out.” He called it minor. The definition of minor surgery? Someone else’s surgery.

The weight room is open from 9-11 in the morning and 6-8 in the evening. After 45 minutes, the boys get to play outside. “This gets you ahead of the others,” junior Jase Ball declares, “and there are those who say they need the time off or go on vacation, but I think I’m preparing myself for two-a-days in early August.” The offensive lineman has “Class 5A” size: 6-feet, three inches; 265 pounds.

“I know the transition from junior varsity to varsity will be big,” Ball notes, “but with my size, I think I’ll be up for it. The game’s a lot faster, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The workouts are voluntary. Burnet High and Texas A&M quarterback, Stephen McGee, was asked once if summer training were optional in College Station. He said, “Yes, of course, but coach Fran told us, ‘success is optional, too.’”

“We gain good team chemistry,” Woolman claims, “and you get to know the guys like brothers. You learn how you’re going to be able to help them, and they learn how they can help you.”

It’s the coach’s turn now to answer the question: How well will the gridiron Jackets make the move from a four-team district to a near-monster package of seven? “You take the hand you’re dealt and you do the best with it. We know how hard we need to work,” Yeager admits, “and we’re hoping we’ll be ready for it. We’d better be.”

“It’s a challenge I like,” Woolman says, “and this should be a great senior year. Always set your goals high.” Liberty Hill, with two, back-to-back, state championships and 24 consecutive wins, has the lead role in the monster movie, but Walker finds a plus in that. “Beating them would be a fantastic experience, wouldn’t it? Nobody’s been able to say that in a long time.”