NATCHEZ — For the Adams County Christian Rebels, the devil is in the details.

ACCS head football coach Paul Hayles said the team has been focusing on the little things in preseason practice this far.

Conditioning and timing are the two big things the Rebels are working on as they prepare for their opening game of the season against Wilkinson County Christian on Aug. 22.

“The biggest thing is being in the best shape we can be in,” Hayles said. “Conditioning gives you such an edge early in the season.”

Another thing that the Rebels are working on is the timing of their plays.

“We’ve got to get the timing of our plays down on offense,” Hayles said.” Everything from routes to when the quarterback releases the ball, to the entire sequence of the offense.”

Hayles said it is important for the players to have the basics of the play down perfectly before moving on to more complex things.

“If you can’t do the basics extremely well, then you’re foolish to move on, because instead of being good at one thing, you’re good at nothing,” Hayles said. “The best teams are good at one solid thing and then expand off of that.”

Hayles said one of the most important things he has seen so far is the leadership role the seniors are taking.

“I’m starting to see signs of leadership,” Hayles said. “When you have a young team, that is important. When you put in the time and effort these kids have put into offseason workouts, and you want to do the best, that’s when leadership comes out and they start pushing each other to be the best they can be.”

Two players that Hayles specifically pointed out as being impressive so far in practice is quarterback Colin Dollar and tailback Hunter Russ.

“I’ve been pleased with the maturity of Colin Dollar,” Hayles said. “He’s starting to become the quarterback I’ve been seeing in him. And Hunter Russ is coming off a shoulder surgery last year and is really starting to work hard. When you have players coming together like that, it’s very special.”