Todd McVey couldn’t even get to sleep on Sunday night.

He was too excited. Excited for new possibilities, excited to get back out on the field, excited for a new season of football.

Tompkins got out on the field Monday for their first day of practice and it was full speed ahead for a team that is out to prove itself this year, and they got straight to work, stepping up in the first day of practice for a team that wants to fight for a top spot in district this year.

“I got in bed at nine to wake up early and I just kept checking the clock, I couldn’t wait to get out here,” McVey said. “I just love that I get to come out here and coach these kids, I get chills just talking about it. It never not excites me, coming out here and seeing these kids get one percent better. And it will continue to get better every day, that’s why I love this.”

Tompkins comes off a 7-4 season where they made the bi-district round and has new faces all around the field. The players that return have stepped up and helped the new faces acclimate and been those leaders, that was big on day one as it got the whole team in the right mindset and set the standard that they will need all season.

“Those seniors that have been here were tremendous with that today, we have a crimson line standard and they’re the ones who came out and led the way to show everyone else what is expected,” McVey said. “Our young guys were figuring out today things like, don’t walk from drill to drill, don’t ever give less than you would during the game and things like that. But they followed the example of the veterans because those guys were flying around and setting that standard.”

Justin Thierheimer has become one of the big leaders of the offense heading into his senior year. Thierheimer started four games for Tompkins last year and earned valuable experience and has continued to step up his game throughout the offseason. He battled an injury over the summer but was able to be ready to go for the first day of practice and it meant everything for him to be back out there with his team.

“It’s been a grind, but I’m just excited to be back,” Theirheimer said. “I wanted to be out here for the first day of practice for the guys and it was just great to be back in this environment and be competing again. I just can’t wait for the season.”

The defense is young as well, but the returners have been working to get people up to speed and ready to go for the season. While the defense is young it has playmakers and Tompkins believes they can be a very strong unit.

“We always preach about being a team led team and how the players need to lead,” said senior safety Josh Davis. “This is the perfect example of that. The coaches lay it out for us but the players have to be those leaders on the field. The guys returning have all just taken it upon themselves to step up. We need to know everything from the first day. Every play call, know where everyone needs to be and hold people accountable.”

Tompkins was the only District 19-6A team to not have spring practice and who is practicing this summer a week early. That means extra time for players to make a name for themselves, stake a claim at a starting spot and fight for playing time. It will be a fun start to the season for the Falcons and they can’t wait to see what comes this year.

“We’re going to see who gets those spots as we go, because that’s what so fun about this time of year, we don’t know who is going to be in a lot of spots,” McVey said. “A lot of those guys were in the weight room every day and they look good. It’s just about putting it together out on the field now.”