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Football Conditioning
Blake Kollbeck goes through drills on the first day of football conditioning for The Woodstock Academy Aug. 13 at the South Campus turf field. Head football  coach Sean Saucier talks about team rules on the first day of conditioning for the Centaurs as new assistant, former Putnam High head coach Joe Humphrey, looks on. Photos by Marc Allard.




WOODSTOCK – The summer is rapidly coming to a close.
That reminder was thrust upon those who plan to play football at The Woodstock Academy this fall Aug. 13.
It was the first official conditioning workout for the Centaurs on the South Campus and it took place in an unusual environment.
Generally, student-athletes and coaches alike are dealing with the heat and humidity of a summer evening.
Aug. 13, it resembled an October day with a steady rain falling.
 “I think it’s OK,” said  second-year Woodstock Academy coach Sean Saucier. “We have a nice surface to practice on. I’m not too worried about it.”
The Academy features two turf fields which makes muddy conditions or even indoor workouts a thing of the past.
Most probably welcomed the cloudy, even cool, conditions in August. Conditioning week in high school football is affectionately known as “Hell Week.”
That’s because the focus is not on football, but rather, getting in shape to play football.
“It’s not exactly fun, but, it’s needed,” said Woodstock Academy senior captain Blake Kollbeck, an offensive lineman and linebacker. “It’s just running, a lot of running.”
Fortunately most took part in the strength and conditioning workouts that the Academy provided over the summer.
“We did tons of work. We had weight classes and then we came out here (to the football field) and conditioned afterwards. We’ve been working out all summer to make this week easier,” Kollbeck said.
Saucier said it’s not only about getting players in shape physically, but also about getting them mentally ready.
“It’s just bringing the energy and trying to set the tone for what practice is like and what we’re going to do out on the field this year. A lot of energy, but a lot of teaching and just trying to get the kids going,” Saucier said.
There are quite a few joining Kollbeck this week.
Saucier said some 60 student-athletes signed up for football and the majority of those took part in conditioning Aug. 13, a few were still dealing with issues regarding school physicals and the like.
That number represented about a dozen more than last year.
“It takes a little longer to hand out equipment but that’s a good thing,” Saucier said with a laugh.
Kollbeck said it’s probably the biggest squad he has seen in his four years of playing football for the Centaurs.
There are some changes.
Saucier’s staff has a new addition in former Putnam High head coach Joe Humphrey who coached Saucier in high school. Dan Palmer, Jeff Higgins and Chris Corey will also be on staff.
 “We have a great group of guys. We lost a couple of coaches from last year for different reasons, but this is a great group and I think the kids are going to love them and they will help us move forward,” Saucier said.
The Centaurs finished 4-6 last season when they played an independent schedule.
That will be the case again this season.
The Centaurs have only one Eastern Connecticut Conference opponent, Windham.
The Academy only lost four players from last season to graduation; Kameron Janice, Tyler Stuba, Seth Benoit and Jacob Straub graduated.
Janice, who will be playing for UMass-Dartmouth this fall, is a big hole to fill. The running back rushed for 2,270 yards and 29 touchdowns.
“The way I look at it is, we’re building,” Saucier said.
“Obviously, losing a kid like (Janice) is going to have an impact, but that’s kind of how high school football works. They graduate and people have to step up. I think there a couple of sophomores who got a lot of experience last year that are coming into their junior year and can contribute,” Saucier said.
The Academy coach said it feels like he just blinked and another football season is already upon him.
He’s been coaching the sport for the last 16 years.
“There are not too many jobs you can have that can give you the feeling that you get doing this. Whether it’s a little nervous, a little anxious, excited. I get to go run around 60 teenagers, it’s kind of cool to do when you are 43-years-old,” Saucier said.

Marc Allard
Sports Information Director

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