By Michael Butler

Tallassee head football coach and athletic director Eric Folmar is still getting acquainted with the program since being introduced on April 21.

“The relationship part is the most important part of what we do,” Folmar said. “Football is great. Winning is great. Having relationships with these young people and helping them become better young men is why I do this.”

Folmar likes what he has seen so far.

“We’ve got such a good group. We’ve gotten to spend some time together outside of football. Last Thursday before the 4th of July break, we worked them out and cooked them breakfast. We just hung out and fellowshipped.”

That fellowship includes Folmar and his entire staff with the team.

“This is a phenomenal staff. It’s probably the best staff I’ve been around – great men, as well as great football coaches. They’ve done a great job as well in developing relationships.”

Folmar and the staff have seen some early success with summer work. The Tigers took the championship of the annual Elmore County 7-on-7 in Wetumpka, beating the three-time defending champion Indians in the final 13-10.

“That trip to Wetumpka was really special,” said Folmar. “We really didn’t have a spring training. I got here so late. We really didn’t get together as a team and start teaching until the first summer workout at the beginning of June. I was just proud of the way our kids competed. Gosh it was hot. They showed a lot of heart.”

This week, Tallassee is having its first Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Trinity in Montgomery on Thursday, July 9.

“7-on-7s are important. It’s a chance to compete. It’s not football. (OTAs) are little more football. We’ll work 11-on-11, but the line of scrimmage is really difficult in t-shirts and helmets. We don’t have anything protecting our shoulders. Hopefully, we’ll get some padded days in the future.”

Tallassee will host Southside-Selma and Lee-Scott Academy in another OTA next Thursday, July 16. Tallassee will face Bullock County in a jamboree at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Aug. 14. The season opener will be at Montgomery Academy on Aug. 21.