Spring Practice #8
3/13/2009 4:11:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Friday morning's practice marked the final one for Georgia Southern Football before a week off. The Eagles will enjoy Spring Break then return to action on Tuesday, March 24.
The team was back in full pads and scrimmage for most of practice, spending a significant amount of time working in the red zone.
Third year head coach Chris Hatcher has been pleased with the first two weeks of drills.
“We've had a good two weeks of practice and I've been really pleased with our work. Our guys have been very eager and they want to learn how to play the game the way we want it to be played. It's been a fun group to coach thus far,” said Hatcher. “We're where we need to be at this point for spring ball and this break comes at a good time. It's been a long off season for these men and we're looking forward to getting this break and then coming back and finishing spring drills.”
When evaluating his team so far, Hatcher mentioned that there have been some pleasant surprises.
“We've had some guys who've really stepped up. Markeith Wylie and the defensive line have really had a good spring along with Harland Bower. That was a position where we had lost a lot of seniors,” said Hatcher. “Receiver was another position that's been depleted due to graduation. Leander Barney looks good out there along with Jonathan Bryant. Nico Hickey and Nick Kyles have really come on lately. At our tight end position we've got a couple of guys in there, (Tyler) Sumner from Savannah Christian has really come on, so we've had some guys step up in some key positions where we were depleted due to senior graduation.
Spring practice can always be looked at from several angles, having teammates practicing against each other. And if those witnessing the first two weeks from Eagle Creek have noticed a defensive-themed spring, Hatcher says that's par for the course.
“Well the defense should be ahead of the offense, that's the way it should be. It's been the opposite of that for the past two years we've been here. Today we had some good work once we settled down offensively, we moved the ball well. Today was the first day we really worked any red zone and goal line work and so both sides of the ball were a little rusty in that area.”
2009 Spring Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 24
Thursday, March 26
Friday, March 27
Tuesday, March 31
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4 ? Annual Blue-White Game, 1 p.m.
