August 4, 2017 at 4:58 p.m.
Be aggressive 
Intensity is key for Hodags in early practices
Be aggressive 
The Hodags have been preparing with high intensity all summer. The coaching staff treated 7-on-7 passing league sessions like games and urged players to compete in similar fashion.
Attending early practices, it's evident that has rolled over. The Rhinelander coaching staff has been intense and urging players to operate at an efficient level.
"That's football and we want our kids to pick up certain things that they see and understand the game," RHS head coach Chris Ferge said. "It's an aggressive game and if you're not aggressive you'll lose. We're stepping it up and we're able to do that because we're in systems - offensively and defensively - that we're familiar with so some of these concepts should be coming back really quick and it's fun to watch them play fast."
Rhinelander hasn't won a Great Northern Conference game since 2013, hasn't been to the playoffs since 2012 and hasn't had a winning since 1996.
In order to turn things around, Ferge and his staff are focusing on details.
"We're watching positions to see if guys are picking up on the little things during individual time and if it's showing up in team time," Ferge said. "Making sure that (they understand that) the little things matter and they're picking them up and being smart out there."
Since the Hodags were not allowed to hit this week, they have to find other things to focus on. The early portion of practices was spent making sure players are up to speed mentally.
The early practices are when teams install and refine schemes, along with refining bodies to make sure players are in shape.
"With the lack of contact it's the mental game and the conditioning that we can do," Ferge said. "Getting used to the hot weather, drinking enough fluids, getting enough sleep, coming back hungry and being really tough in all the training that we're doing."
When contact does begin this weekend, one concern is always injuries.
Rhinelander was ravaged by injuries last season, so it's fair to wonder whether contact will be kept to a minimum.
Ferge dispelled that notion, noting tht contact is still an important aspect of football and if things are done safely, injuries related to hitting can be avoided .
"We really don't have a lot of drills where we put anybody on the ground. That doesn't happen," Ferge said. "We stay upright for most of our practices. If you went to practices across the state, I think most guys have gone to that theory because we just can't lose anybody. It's devastating to have an injury in practice where you lose a starter or anyone really. There's other ways where you can get live tackling and not hurt anybody."
Nick Sabato may be reached at [email protected] or via Twitter @SabatoNick.
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