CARTHAGE — The message Sam Millich delivered couldn't have been any clearer.

"If you want to play, prove it."

Those were just a few of the words that echoed Monday as the Carthage Comets raced through drills at Carthage High School on the first official day of the high school football season.

There were no bone-cracking collisions, as the players donned practice jerseys, shorts and their shiny silver helmets. But Millich's words certainly resonated as the Comets conducted their morning and afternoon workouts at mid-season intensity.

"We started out the same way last year, and it turned out great for us," said junior linebacker/fullback Pat Gibbons. "We have a lot of potential, we just have to find a way to put it all together."

The Comets also face the toughest task of any area team when it comes to attempting to duplicate or exceed last year's success.

"Everybody's just going to have to work harder," said four-year defensive lineman Homer Dobransky a few minutes after he completed his final first day of practice. "That's what gets it done. We jump right into it."

Carthage completed the best season in school history in 2007 by finishing 11-1, and reaching the state semifinals. Millich said this year's squad will be challenged to replace more than just its top tackler (David Gallagher) or its most dangerous offensive weapon (Robert Grimm) from last fall.

He said last year's group of seniors also offered exceptional leadership.

"The defense should be ahead of the offense, because we have six strong starters back," Millich said. "They have to set the tone for us.

"With our success last year, we want to raise the bar, build on it, and keep moving."

The Comets will defend their Section 3 Class A title at a top-notch facility. The school's brand new artificial turf field is nearly complete, and is expected to be ready for the Sept. 12 home opener against New Hartford.

The bright green turf is down, with freshly painted lines, and new field goal posts stand at each end of the field as finishing touches are made. The team practiced Monday just adjacent to its improved home field.

"It's awesome. It looks like a college field," Millich said. "These guys get to practice here, and look over and think, 'we'll be on that soon.'"

The field will negate the muddy effects of any potential Friday night rain showers in the fall, and the aura of muddy battles in the trenches will be gone, but that's OK with most of the players.

"As long as we're hitting somebody, it'll be all right," Gibbons said.