Fall Camp Day Two
8/6/2009 9:54:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Football returned to the practice fields for day two of fall camp on Thursday. On Friday the Eagles will wear shells for the first time and then hit the field Sunday afternoon for the first time in full pads.
A total of 16 seniors are in fall camp, and Saturday will mark the first time they will take the field with the 37 freshmen currently practicing. As head coach Chris Hatcher prepares for his third season in charge, he noted the excitement of all the players and their leadership on the field.
"We are light years ahead of where we were (after day one of practice this year compared to the past couple of years), maybe not as much as far as knowing what to do on the field, but our attitude is tremendous. Our guys believe in the coaches and what we are trying to get accomplished, everybody is on the same page. Everybody knows exactly what we are going to do each and every day, offensively, defensively, and special teams, there are no questions," said Hatcher. "We have some great leaders in Lee Chapple, Dion Dubose and Derek Heyden - those guys have emerged as great leaders - and then Ronnie Wiggins, Harland Bower, Darrell Pasco, and three senior O-linemen Cole Fountain, Jonathan Loving and Trey Dunmon. People know who the leaders are, they know what we are going to do, it's so nice to have everyone on the same page for a change."
During the afternoon 7-on-7 session, the defense came up with a big play when Derek Heyden intercepted a pass, but the offense responded when Russell DeMasi connected with Jonathan Bryant over the middle for a touchdown.
Kickoff for the season-opener against Albany (N.Y.) on Saturday, September 5th is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paulson Stadium. For ticket information call 800-GSU-WINS.
HEAT INDEX: Midway through the afternoon practice the heat index hit 106 degrees, the second straight day in triple digits.
THREE SENIORS LEAD OFFENSIVE LINE: Georgia Southern's offensive line boasts of the most returning senior starters, three veterans in right tackle Cole Fountain, right guard Jonathan Loving and center Trey Dunmon. Those three helped the offense rank 20th nationally last year in passing offense (247 ypg) and scoring offense (31.8 ppg) while finishing the year 37th in total offense (383.6 ypg). Fountain was selected as a Second Team Preseason All-Southern pick. Sophomores William Maxwell and Josh Petkovich split time at tackle in 2008 while senior Josh Barker is looking to challenge for playing time at guard. The three senior starters are part of an offensive line that currently has eight freshmen and four sophomores in camp.
"Every year the offensive line is probably the most important on the offensive side of the ball, that and the quarterback, and defensively the defensive line is where it all starts," said coach Hatcher. "We put a lot of emphasis on it. That is one area we will have senior leadership with Cole Fountain who has been here a long time, Jonathan Loving who played on both sides of the ball and Trey Dunmon who had a great season last year. So we have some guys that know how to make it happen. Right now (sophomore guard) Jared Flowers and (redshirt-freshman tackle) Daniel Few are the other two starters at this time we really feel good about their progress."
FALL CAMP PRACTICE TIMES
Friday, August 7: 3A 8:10-10 a.m.; 3B 1:10-3 p.m.
Saturday, August 8: 9:15-11:45 a.m.
Sunday, August 9: 2:15-4:45 p.m.
Monday, August 10: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11: 1:30-4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Thursday, August 13: 1:30-4 p.m.
Friday, August 14: 8-10 a.m.; 2:15-4:15 p.m.; 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Saturday, August 15: 1:30-4 p.m.
Sunday, August 16: Off
Monday, August 17: Off (First day of classes)
All sessions are tentatively scheduled to take place at the practice field complex and Herring Pavilion. Only media members are allowed to take pictures during any practice session. Day/time subject to change
