The morning on the practice field is a muggy one, but the heat in no way diminishes one football coach’s determination to instill a sense of pride and teamwork in his young players.

In fact, Bernice Bears Head Football Coach Greg Young hopes the lessons these young men learn about football on the field translate into life lessons well beyond their high school football experience.

"You have to read his eyes," Young says to one player when it comes to going up against someone from an opposing team.

Minutes later, that same player, whom Young earlier suspected wasn’t performing up to par, has grown a fierce look in his own eyes.

"Well, you look like you’re ready to kill someone now," another player says to him.

That change in motivation is the whole point, according to Young, who is entering his fourth year as head coach at Bernice.

Memories of last year’s 1-9 record, which included disappointments against Oak Grove and Mangham, won’t keep this District 2 Class A team from being optimistic about this season.

So optimistic is Young that he wants as many members of the public as possible to see the Bears play this year.

"You’ll see some young men who are trying, despite all odds, despite the fact that we don’t have the numbers, despite the fact that we’re not a great big ole football team. You’re gonna see some kids that are going to give it their all," Young says, adding he plans to send at least 22 players to compete against Farmerville.

While this year’s team consists of 75 percent freshmen, Young expects many of his players to stand out.

But the hardest part is getting freshmen quarterbacks to understand what’s required of them.

"A lot of the time they think being a quarterback is about how far you can throw the ball, but that has nothing to do with it. You have to make sure you understand offense and understand where the running backs and the wing backs should be at all times. Once you hand the ball off, you must make sure you carry out your pace as well," Young says.

Young refuses to see having so many freshmen as a hindrance.

"We’ll take our lumps and go through our growing pains," Young says of the freshmen’s learning curve.

Freshmen from last year have matured tremendously and, as sophomores, understand offense better, Young says.

"But we’re gonna have a bigger group of freshmen this year than I’ve ever been a part of. By the time those kids become sophomores they should be seasoned enough to understand what’s really going on."

Despite their strengths, and weaknesses (in numbers), Young hopes to pass down the principle that winning isn’t everything. Young encourages his players to develop character on the field and use lessons learned to think about life after high school.

But Young’s greatest disappointment with his players still lies off the field.

The team has lost valuable starters, some weighing over 300 pounds, due to eligibility requirements.

"They can’t make the grades they can’t play. It’s that simple," Young observes with a barely disguised trace of frustration in his voice.

Young says well-known recruiters have shown interest in his players. But the players never even bothered to return recruitment forms.

"That’s what really hurts the most. When you try. And you know for a fact that they’re never going to get another opportunity like that again. Ever. But they don’t seize the moment. That’s what hurts," Young says.

"There’s talent at this school. There’s athletic potential. But you can’t make them do what they should."

All Young can do now is focus on his players and their futures.

"Some of the kids may get into high school football in kind of a bad way if they get their heads smashed on the first play. They may not want to get back out there again. That’s why we’re constantly encouraging them. That’s why we hit it as hard as we can. We’re out there in the heat. But so is Farmerville, so is Oak Grove, so is everybody else."