For two years, John Weaver did everything he could to beat Porters Chapel. This week, he’s taking his first steps toward building the program up.

PCA concludes its first spring practice under Weaver today. The brief three-day session — shortened because of the school’s run to the MAIS Class A baseball semifinals — didn’t leave a lot of time for implementing complex schemes, so the focus was on individual drills and learning a few simple plays.

“It’s showing them how practice is going to go in the fall and two-a-days. It’s almost like a blueprint,” Weaver said. “We’re going to be disciplined and organized and on schedule.”

Although he’ll officially start his first season as PCA’s head coach when the team returns for fall practice on July 26 — the season starts Aug. 20 at home against Tallulah Academy. Weaver has more than a passing familiarity with the program.

He was an assistant coach at PCA in 2005. After a season each at Sharkey-Issaquena and North Sunflower he spent two years at Tallulah. His Tallulah teams played PCA both years, including once in the playoffs.

In addition, he reviewed film from all of PCA’s games last season in preparation for this week.

“It’s surreal, I’ll say that. It’s like when Tommy Tuberville plays at Ole Miss or Houston Nutt at Arkansas. My goal is to get these guys ready. It’s as simple as that,” Weaver said. “It’s different. My shirt is black and white instead of blue and gold. But it’s just a color.”

Weaver is PCA’s third coach in as many years. Randy Wright retired in 2009 after five seasons, then Bill Fleming stepped down after leading the Eagles to a 4-8 record last season.

Senior lineman Caze Brewer said the revolving door has been tough to deal with, but felt the program is back on the right track with Weaver. Brewer said the tone of the early practices made it clear where the focus would be in the fall.

“Already, as a team, I feel like we’re tighter than we were all of last year,” Brewer said. “I think it’s going to be a big difference. We were winded after the first three plays last year. That’s going to carry us into the weight room and bust it like we should do.”

That’s something Weaver enjoyed hearing.

All 21 players on the roster will have a mandatory number of workouts they’ll have to attend to keep their spot.