When Monarch coach Grant Stephenson was in high school, the football team held two-a-day practices. Now, it’s just once daily, as the Thomas More Prep-Marian football team opened fall practice on Monday. Stephenson, starting his third year, said before the practice he expected about 33 players to go out this year.

Stephenson was a 2002 graduate of Little River and also played at the next level.

“We did more two-a-days when I was in high school,” Stephenson said. “When I was in college at Garden City, we did three-a-days.”

Stephenson said summer workouts went well, and he is looking forward to the season. TMP finished 5-4 last year.

“Preseason, first week we need to get in shape,” Stephenson said. “We also need to be knowledge-based, know what we’re doing, top to bottom. As we get into the season, it’s fine-tuning that, get a little bit better every day, each week.”

It helps having several starters back on both sides of the ball, and having senior Carson Liles back at quarterback to run the Monarchs’ spread offense is a plus. He threw for 1,306 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall.

However, the main thing is staying healthy; six starters went down with injuries last season.

“If we can stay healthy, we’re good to go,” Stephenson said.

Due to a shortage of officials, the Monarchs will open the season a day earlier than usual, playing at home against Russell on Sept. 4, at Lewis Field Stadium.