Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The head coaches of the three Effingham County Jaguars teams have promised to pass a lot this year.

In addition to having their quarterbacks put the football in the air occasionally, Darius Jackson, Zach Conaway and Jeffrey Lonon vow to toss a lot of tips in the direction of their players to help them succeed on and off the field.

The Jaguars player development program is an Effingham County Recreation and Sports Management (ECRSM) staple that consistently places highly in Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) tournaments. It fields teams at the 8U, 10U and 12U levels.

“When you see kids in middle school now, a lot of them don’t even know how to get in a stance or anything like that,” said Lonon, head coach of the 12U Jaguars and director of ECRSM. “People have always catered to the better athletes and told the rest, ‘Hey, you just get on the line and go block that guy right there,’ yet the kids can’t get down in a proper stance and don’t know how to get off the ball to go block somebody or use their hands to block somebody.

“We just want to teach them and bring them along on how to play.”

Lonon is pleased to have likeminded Jackson and Conaway in the Jaguars’ fold.

“I’ve been coaching youth football for about seven years now, everything from 8U all the way to 12U,” Jackson said. “With the younger guys, you want to build a good base. If you don’t have a solid foundation, everything will crumble. The fundamentals are very important so that’s where I start.”

Starting his second season in charge of the 8U Jaguars, Jackson said younger players present unique coaching challenges.

“(At the 8U level), stances and starts are important, plus how to engage in blocking and how to defeat blocking,” he said. “It’s also important to understand the basic schemes of football. There is no need to try to teach complex things because their attention span is like a finger snap.

“You have to be creative with keeping their attention, making their drills fun and interactive, as well getting them to learn what you are trying to teach.”

Conaway lacks Jackson’s athletic pedigree but is a perfect match for his dear friend when it comes to coaching philosophies and competitiveness. Conaway, who played football, basketball and baseball at South Effingham High School, has led multiple youth teams in several sports.

“I have a passion for it,” he said “I don’t do it for self-credentials. I do it for the boys.

“In all honesty, I believe I am called to do what I am doing.”

Jackson has a similar mindset.

“I believe through sports you can teach kids life skills,” he said “You can teach them perseverance, how to deal with adversity, how to deal with success and when there isn’t much success.”

A father of three young athletes, Conaway considered stepping away from coaching the Jaguars this year but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“The good Lord slapped me around,” he said.

Conaway is entering his fourth year with the Jaguars. The rookie 10U head coach had a role in three GRPA district 8U championships.

“The Lord orders my steps and I follow,” Conaway said. “Whoever he wants on the team is who I am there to coach. I’m more about life lessons than I am football.

“Football is just a plus.”

All three Jaguars teams, who will take the field this fall in stylish new uniforms, are currently conducting periodic combine-style agility and speed drills at Bob Griffith Stadium at Effingham County High School. Team practices will start in August.

Player slots are available. Call 912-754-6339 for more information.