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Georgia Southern University Athletics

Football Practice - Action Shot

Football

Spring Practice #10

STATESBORO, Ga. ? Approaching the final week of spring drills, Georgia Southern saw a more intense football practice Thursday morning. The Eagles will move Friday's practice to the afternoon and will go through a scrimmage situation.

According to head coach Chris Hatcher, Friday's practice is crucial for those players on the bubble.

“We pretty much know going in the guys that we are really counting on... the guys that are on the bubble can show us what they can do tomorrow.  Whenever you get to play football the way it's supposed to be played our guys really enjoy doing that and we're all excited for that tomorrow,” said Hatcher. “This game will be the most work that our 1s will get in any scrimmage situation in the spring. Tomorrow I expect them to get anywhere between 40 and 45 plays. In the spring game they usually get 20 plays. This will be good work for those guys tomorrow that hopefully if things go well we will be able to get everyone in the game.”

The third-year head coach continues to see his team making progress.

“I think we've progressed well. In spring ball you don't really have an opponent to play for so you got to make sure you fight over not getting bored and doing the same thing over with nothing really to prepare for or look forward to. I think our guys are still eager to learn,” said Hatcher. “We're getting better in certain areas and we still have a lot of young players that don't have a lot of experience. Even a lot of those guys who played some last year as freshman it's really been good for them to go through the paces and really slow down the learning curve for them.”

Highlights during 11-on-11 drills... Derek Heyden picked off a pass... Marc Thomas recorded a tackle for loss... Harland Bower recorded a tackle for loss then later a sack... Ronnie Wiggins and J.B. Shippy each recorded a sack... Lee Banks and Antonio Solomon each nearly came up with an interception... Billy Lowe connected with Leander Barney twice during the same drive for a touchdown, one in the redzone and another from more than 50 yards... Kyle Collins found Nico Hickey on a 20-plus yard reception... Lee Chapple and Lamar Brown connected on a 20-yard pass play then later for a redzone touchdown.

EAGLE COACHES HOST HIGH SCHOOL CLINIC: Head coach Chris Hatcher and his coaching staff is hosting a high school coaches clinic Thursday and Friday. Nearly 100 coaches are in attendance, something that Hatcher thinks will benefit the program.

“It's good that we provide this opportunity to enjoy good fellowship with the coaches and share some good football ideas. Every now and then you get a few coaches that have never been to Georgia Southern and see how we do things. Down the road that could be very beneficial when it comes to recruitment,” said Hatcher.

WIDE RECEIVERS
If the running back position has a majority of underclassmen and the defensive line lost four key players, the wide receivers will be a little of both. Of the 16 players last year that caught a pass, only four return and two are a true wide receiver ? sophomore Leander Barney (22, 209, 1TD), Zeke Rozier (11, 57, 1 TD), Adam Urbano (5, 28) and senior Garryon Taylor (2 for 39 yards at Furman).

Barney moved out to wide receiver full-time and Taylor is the lone senior of the group. Junior Nick Kyles and gray-shirt freshman Jonathan Bryant are two newcomers who figure into Hatcher's plans. But a lack of depth is a big reason why Hatcher and his staff signed seven wide receiver recruits to join in the fall.

“We moved (Leander) Barney out to wide receiver, hopefully he can do it for us. We're really high on Jonathan Bryant, a gray-shirt out of Cairo. Towards the latter part of the season Garryon Taylor made some big catches for us. Nick Kyles is a guy we think has great talent. He looked good on the scout team last year so hopefully he'll have a good spring and can provide us with some play makers out wide.”
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Leander Barney (Soph), Garryon Taylor (Sr)
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Raja Andrews, Tim Camp, Steve Cundari, Darrian Felton, Joe Haynie, Michael McIntosh, Marcus Russ

BLUE-WHITE GAME ON THE RADIO: The Georgia Southern Radio Network announced that the 2009 Blue-White Game will be broadcast live on Eagle 102.9 FM, WPMX-FM in Statesboro, and online at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.

The crew of Chris Blair, Terry Harvin and Ryan Chambers will call the game. The broadcast will begin at 12:30 p.m. with ?Countdown to Kickoff with Head Coach Chris Hatcher'. During this year's broadcast, the crew will talk with Coach Hatcher throughout the game with his comments and the normal post-game interview.

“We are excited to carry the Blue-White game again. I know our fans are looking forward to the 2009 season and we're looking forward to the opportunity to help build that excitement. I want to thank head coach Chris Hatcher for his cooperation and our sponsors that help make these broadcasts happen,” said Blair.

EFAA REVERSE RAFFLE SET FOR APRIL 4th: The Eagle Football Assistance Association (EFAA) will sponsor a $10,000 Reverse Raffle, to be held on Saturday, April 4th at the Gene Bishop Field House. Tickets cost $100 each, and allow the purchaser and a guest to attend.

The ticket price includes: food, drink, live entertainment and chance to socialize with the Georgia Southern Football coaching staff (head coach Chris Hatcher and his assistants) and former players.

There will also be a live and silent auction of great memorabilia, game day experience packages, hunting and fishing trips with former players, and much more. You need not be present to win the grand prize.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation at (912) 478-5520.

2009 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Friday, March 27, 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 31
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4 ? Annual Blue-White Game, 1 p.m.

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