Throughout the offseason, Bill Fleming told his players they would have a full roster by the time the season rolled around. On Monday, during a team meeting, the first-year Porters Chapel coach told them they’d practice rain or shine, “unless a tornado parked itself on the field,” and he’d be right there alongside them.

Fleming told the truth on both accounts.

PCA marked the start of the 2009 football season on Monday with a three-hour workout, parts of it in torrential downpours. It was the first day teams in the Mississippi Private School Association could practice. Mississippi’s public schools start practice on Aug. 3.

“It’s football season. I’m just ready to play,” PCA defensive back Jay Wiley said.

Seventeen varsity and 15 junior high players hit the practice field on Monday. Another six varsity players were on vacation and will be back by the time practice begins in earnest next week, Fleming said.

MPSA rules limit teams to workouts in helmets and shorts until Thursday, and then shoulder pads and helmets for the next two days. Saturday is the first day teams can work in full pads. The rules forced the Eagles to perform nothing but agility drills on Monday. They ran through ropes, over blocking dummies and just around the field for close to three hours.

When the rains came less than an hour into the practice, Fleming kept his word. He didn’t seek cover, staying on the field with his team as the skies opened up and distant thunder rumbled.

“Like I told them, you cannot fuss about being wet because I’m not going to wear a coat,” Fleming said. “When they’re wet, I’m wet. When they’re hot, I’m hot.”

It will be most of the same for the rest of the week, right down to the gloomy rain-filled forecast. Fleming said the team’s focus will be on getting back in shape and adjusting to a new coaching staff. Fleming took over from Randy Wright, who retired in May after five seasons as the school’s football coach.

Fleming said the team had strong participation in its offseason weightlifting program, but seeing 32 players on the field for the first time was a relief.

“The formations are roughly the same. The passing trees are a little different. I don’t know how (Wright) called plays, but I’m very methodical. I’d rather have seven plays and score than go for the home run right away,” Fleming said. “We have to get them used to the tempo of the practices and a new coaching style. I’m laid back, but I believe in structure and discipline making them accountable.”

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com