With 70 players trying out for the school’s varsity and jayvee squads, and a veteran coaching staff in place, the outlook is promising for this year’s Mathews High School football program, according to head coach Paul White.

Practices began on Aug. 2, with the team putting on pads and going full contact on Saturday. The team gets a chance to see how they are going to stack up against the competition this Friday, when they host Bruton and Nandua in a scrimmage, starting at 6 o’clock.

Last year, the Blue Devils narrowly missed earning a playoff berth after losing the regular season finale, 41-40, in double overtime to the Middlesex Chargers. Mathews ended the 2009 season with a 4-6 record overall; 1-3 in the Tidewater District.

With an off-season conditioning program in place, and many Blue Devils participating in a University of Richmond camp late last month, White’s players should be in good shape for the coming season, although a few were seen suffering...