By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
At first glance, it looked like Palestine-Wheatley football coach Terry Farmer was preparing for a yard sale at the football fieldhouse Tuesday.
Most of the field house contents were setting outside.
Farmer, who is beginning his fourth year as the Patriots' head coach, was busy preparing for Thursday's athletic physicals which will pave the way for the summer drills which get under way in earnest next week.
"We're just cleaning a little, checking equipment, doing a little touch up work to get ready," Farmer said.
Thursday's physicals are free and will be given from 8 until 10:30 a.m., at the high school.
Farmer's Patriots, who finished fourth in the 3AA Conference a year ago, are the preseason pick to finish second in the league this time around behind the preseason favorite, Hughes.
Farmer takes it in stride and insists he isn't feeling "any pressure at all." In fact, he almost appears too laid back as he gets ready for another season.
Farmer's Patriots teams have made the playoffs each of his past three seasons. There is no reason to think this year will be any different.
"In the past three years, we have made a lot of positive strides and we just want to continue to build a good, solid football program here," Farmer said.
Farmer said most of the Patriot football players have been working out on a regular basis this summer -- most of them twice a week.
He expects to have about 24 players on roster for the 2003 season.
"We may pick up a few more," Farmer added.
Palestine-Wheatley opens the season on Friday, Sept. 5, when they play at Des Arc.
Before the opener, the Patriots will take part in a jamboree on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Clarendon.
In other news from P-W long-time basketball coach Terry Clardy will coach the Junior Patriot football team this season, replacing former junior high coach Dan Cockrell, who resigned in May.
Palestine-Wheatley is beginning its second full season in the 10-team, 3AA Conference which also includes Earle, Parkin, Marked Tree, Walnut Ridge, Salem, Cross County, Turrell and Rector.