"Our goal was just to try to get a good tempo ... and find kids who would go out there and practice hard," said Purple Hurricanes coach Frank Barden, who is entering his 15th season leading the program.
While the Canes didn't have their entire team -- some players were still competing in track and field and baseball -- Barden and his coaching staff felt good about what they saw.
"Spring practice went (well)," he said. "We found some (positive developments) with our younger kids and, hopefully, that's gonna create some depth for us."
As nice as those developments may have been, the veteran coach knows that if Cartersville wishes to succeed it will be because of his eldest players.
Those players include JD Jones -- whom Barden said will play on the defensive line next season -- offensive lineman Justin Floyd, linebacker Aaron Foster and running backs/defensive backs Talique Cochran and Kendall Martinez.
"Those are some seniors we're counting on to do well," Barden said. "Obviously, we always put a big emphasis on our senior class. It's their team. We're only as good as our seniors are going to be.
"I think they want to set the tempo for their team."
The Canes are currently lifting weights and doing conditioning from 8 to 11 a.m. three days a week -- Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Cartersville will attend a passing camp later this month and has two more camps scheduled for July, including a team camp in Alabama.
The Canes, who went 5-5 last season, open the season by hosting Pepperell at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27. They play in the Woodland Jamboree at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13.