Episode 7 highlights Algonquin’s final practice before putting on full pads.  Check it out:

Since the team got themselves adjusted to upper pads on Tuesday, August 20, the Algonquin Tomahawks improved in all areas on Wednesday, August 21.

They started off practice by thudding it up in a series head to head match-ups known as “Set the Tone”, and as Coach Allen says, it sets the tone for practice.

One of the closest match-ups of the day was between TE and DE Joe Scangas and WR/TE and DB Derek Blanchard.

Blanchard went on to have another huge day, catching more deep balls successfully.

On offense, Jason Levin and Aidan McKenna also stood out. Levin is a versatile player who succeeded in multiple roles. McKenna has gotten more reps as a junior and made some pretty good catches. He had a great jumping catch during 11 on 11s.

Ralph Gutierrez, Nick Alessi, and Jack Rafferty also made some good catches on Wednesday.

The o-line saw significant improvement compared to Tuesday. They also tried out some new contact drills. Unfortunately, the increase in contact meant more injuries, as several T-Hawks went down.

A couple players who were resting or hurt played with OC Bill Griffin’s son Joey. Joey loves football and always spends a couple days of his summer watching the team practice.

On defense, John Fontecchio, Eli Khasabo, Brett Jolley, and others continued to shine, as they learned plenty from DC Mark Allen and Line Coach Andy Brooks.

Joey also played with his dad while the players were doing conditioning drills to end practice.

After practice, I interviewed T/DL Brett Jolley.

I also spoke with Head Coach Taylor Allen as usual.

Stay tuned to see how the T-Hawks do in full pads as they prepare for their Saturday scrimmage in the 8th and final episode of Gonk Knocks.

Gonk Knocks: Training Camp with the Algonquin Tomahawks

Season 2

• S2 E1 — We All We Got, We All We Need
• S2 E2 — Our Season Starts Today
• S2 E3 — Offense Leads the Way, Defense wins Games
• S2 E4 — One Percent Better Every Day
• S2 E5 — Football Players or Playing Football
• S2 E6 — Thudding it Up
• S2 E7 — Setting the Tone

Upcoming Key Dates for the Tomahawks Football Team

• Friday, 8/30 @ 6 p.m.: Scrimmage #2 at Home vs. Franklin
• Friday, 9/13 @ 7 p.m.: Regular Season Game #1 @Doherty
• Friday, 9/20 @ 7 p.m.: Regular Season Game #2 at Home vs. Shepherd Hill