Football | 8/4/2017 9:24:00 PM

PHOTO GALLERY

STATESBORO, Ga. – Long scoring plays and defensive takeaways highlighted the Georgia Southern football squad's first of three scrimmages this preseason Friday night at Paulson Stadium. The Blue and White participated in a 100-play scrimmage, with drives beginning at the 25 or 30 yard line each time.

Quarterbacks were wearing grey and were full contact, while offense was in blue and the defense was in white. A quartet of quarterbacks in Shai Werts, LaBaron Anthony, Kado Brown and Jaalon Frazier split snaps all evening long.

"Well I thought there was a lot of energy," head coach Tyson Summers said. "I thought there was a lot of excitement. You saw both sides of the ball really come out with a lot of juice. For nine practices in it looks like we've got our legs. A lot of times when you are at this point guys look sluggish and tired, but I'm happy with what we have been trying to do and trying to provide some time off for them. I think they have been really smart with what they have been doing with their bodies. Right now all the energy and excitement gets me excited. We need to correct the mistakes on both sides of the ball - the defensive side gave up too many big plays early and offensively just cleaning up the turnovers."

The scoring began during the second drive of the evening, as D'Ondre Glenn caught an 8-yard score from Anthony. Monteo Garrett opened up the drive with a 67-yard rush to highlight the drive. Minutes later, Anthony launched a 71-yard touchdown pass to Obe Fortune, capping off a two-play drive.

Redshirt freshman Darrell Baker Jr. intercepted an Anthony pass, halting an offensive drive that was driving down the field. Garrett scored the third touchdown of the evening, ripping off a 39-yard touchdown rush down the home sideline for a score as he went over 100 yards rushing on the evening.

"The defense did great," Werts said. "Offense … not too good. We still have a lot of things to work on with it just only being day nine, but it should definitely be a lot better than what it looked. We just have to keep working. You're going to have days like today. You don't want it, especially when you are going against your defense, but it is what it is and we need to get better."

"It felt good," Garrett said. "We had some big plays, but I think we have a couple more things we need to work on for the offense. Defense did really well, but there is still a long way to go before September 2nd."

After giving up some big plays early on, the defense began to tighten up and put a strangle hold on the offense about midway through, forcing multiple turnovers, including interceptions from Bryce Cross and Jahee Anderson. True freshman Matt LaRoche broke off a 52-yard touchdown run up the middle and Frazier tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Darion Anderson to complete the scoring on the night.

"It feels great," junior defensive end Logan Hunt said. "I'm feeling good about the defense. We are young, but we are ready. It'll be a challenge come September, but despite being young we will be ready to handle the situation. We're ready to be a solid defensive line and ready to make plays."

Also making its debut Friday night was a new celebration this season. Following every made kick attempt, the duo of kicker Tyler Bass and holder Matt Flynn will compete in a friendly game of rock, paper, scissors. Currently this preseason, Flynn leads the scoring 2-1-1. After being up 2-0, Flynn dropped the third game and tied the fourth, holding a slight advantage heading into scrimmage number two. The competition is only held after a made kick, so it's something to watch this season. While the celebration was something to watch, Bass' 47-yard field goal was the real highlight of the duo's evening. 

Following the scrimmage fans and players gathered on the field for Fan Fest. Players and coaches from four fall sports signed autographs, while fans hung out and enjoyed time with the student-athletes.

On Saturday, the team will watch video of Friday night's scrimmage and will then hold a Little Eagles Camp on the turf of Paulson Stadium. The event, which is free to the public, requires no registration and is open to the little fans of Eagle Nation. The player will run drills and stations for all those in attendance. The event begins at 6 p.m. and goes two hours.

SAVANNAH PRACTICE AND SCRIMMAGE
Georgia Southern will take a practice on the road as it heads to Savannah for its third and final scrimmage. The Eagles will head east on I-16 and will practice on the campus of Armstrong State University on Friday, Aug. 18 from 6-8 PM. Following the completion of the scrimmage, the team will hold a fan fest with autographs, inflatables, entertainment and much more. More details will be made available as the event gets closer.
 
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Sat., Aug. 5 No practice (Little Eagles Clinic 6-8 PM, Paulson)
Sun., Aug. 6 (8-9:45 AM, Paulson)
Mon., Aug. 7 (9 AM-11 AM, Eagle Creek)
Tues., Aug. 8 (9 AM-11 AM, Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 9 No practice
Thurs., Aug. 10 (9:45 AM-12 PM, Eagle Creek)
Fri., Aug. 11 (9 AM-11 AM, Eagle Creek)
Sat., Aug. 12 (9:15 AM, Paulson - scrimmage #2)
Sun., Aug. 13 No practice
Mon., Aug. 14 No practice
Tues., Aug. 15 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Wed., Aug. 16 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 17 (4-6 PM, Paulson - scrimmage #3)
Fri., Aug. 18 (6-8 PM, Armstrong State; 8 PM Fan Fest, Armstrong State)
Sat., Aug. 19 No practice
Sun., Aug. 20 No practice
Mon., Aug. 21 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)
Tue., Aug. 22 (4-6 PM, Eagle Creek)

* times and locations subject to change