VALDOSTA — Halfway through spring practice, Valdosta High football coach Rick Tomberlin is pleased with his team’s improvement.

“We have had five good days. Five tough, physical days,” Tomberlin said. “We’ve gotten what we wanted done.”

Valdosta practiced every day last week at the school, and will practice Monday through Thursday this week. The team will wrap up the spring season with the annual spring game on Friday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The team has over 150 players participating in spring this year. The Wildcats also have just four players sitting out because they are academically ineligible.

Tomberlin thinks the team has gotten better each day.

“It was a real good week,” the third-year head coach said. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but we’re getting players to step up. The kids have had great attitudes and work ethics. They’re listening, and doing what we ask them to do.

“This is the best first week I’ve had since I got here.”

The Wildcats’ defense dominated the first couple of days of practice, as it often does, but the offense improved later in the week.

“The defense looked real good on Monday and Tuesday. The offense looked good on Wednesday, but the defense got after them again on Thursday. Friday, it was give and take,” Tomberlin said.

Valdosta has been working several players at more than one position. Jay Rome, a talented rising sophomore, is playing both receiver and tight end, and has also lined up some at defensive end. Senior defensive lineman Damian Doe is also working at fullback. Dontavius Sapp, a junior, has played both receiver and defensive back. Allen Scruggs, a senior All-Region center, has also played some guard.

“We’re putting guys at other positions, and seeing how well they do,” Tomberlin said.

Tavoris Belcher is another player rotating positions. He primarily played quarterback last week, because Kyle Rowe and Chad Prain, the team’s other two returning varsity quarterbacks, are still playing baseball. But he is also working at wide receiver and defensive back.

“Tavoris has looked good at quarterback, but we also think he can be a good player for us as a receiver or a defensive back,” Tomberlin said. “We’re going to play our best quarterback. If Tavoris is our best quarterback, he’ll play there, but if someone else is, he’ll be a good wide receiver or defensive back.”

Valdosta is working several players at running back, trying to fill the shoes of departed I-back David Arnold (headed to Georgia Southern) and fullback Marcus McNair (going to Valdosta State). Vashun Johnson, Tim Kier, Reggie McQueen and Justin Williams are the main players working at I-back, while Doe and Desmond Smith lead the group at fullback.

The first week of practice was almost injury-free.