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 With nine springs practices under its belt, the Western Carolina football team is |
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March 30, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - With nine springs practices under its belt, the Western Carolina football team is "on track" according to head coach Kent Briggs. The Catamounts will have four more workouts, including a scrimmage this Saturday, before hosting their annual Spring Game at 8 pm on Friday (April 7).
"We are two-thirds of the way through," Briggs said. "We still have a lot of work to do, but we are making good progress. I am really pleased with the players we have in the program right now. We have the best team chemistry since I have been here. This group of young men is very coachable and hard-working."
In conjunction with the Spring Game, the WCU Athletic Department has partnered with Relay For Life in support of their efforts to fight cancer. The Ms. Relay Pageant (a sight to behold, to say the least) will be held during halftime of the game. The Luminaria Ceremony and Walk of Hope will take place following the game at WCU's University Center. A personalized CatTran will be taking people from the game to the U.C.
You can catch the Catamounts in action this fall as home game schedules, printed on purple Frisbees, will be released at the conclusion of halftime.
A complete schedule of events prior to, during and after the spring game will be released next week.
Briggs also announced that defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator Clayton White has left to take a similar job at Western Michigan.
WCU head coach Kent Briggs on spring practice so far:
"I think we are working hard with good enthusiasm and intensity. We have had a lot of good contact in scrimmage situations, while remaining relatively healthy"
The Defense:
"I've been impressed with the defensive front, especially Felipe Foster, Randy Birch and Darren Curtis. At linebacker, we have been aggressive and steadily gotten better with sophomore Marcus Nelums and Chaz Jackson, as well as freshman Josh Smith. In the secondary, Bruce Lee, Carlton Bailey and Meko Watson have been very consistent. I really expect Meko to step up this fall and be a major contributor. Mitchell Dukes is playing like the senior veteran he is. I am still waiting on someone to step up and play the other safety position. Right now, Brandon Breeden, Mordy Ornguze and Darrell Gray are having some tough battles."
The Offense:
"I have been impressed with Darius Fudge at running back, while (South Carolina transfer) Albert Ashcraft has shown up in some scrimmage situations with some long touchdown runs. Quarterback has been a real bright spot with great competition. Headlining the list is a good battle for the starting spot between Justin Clark and Bennett Swygert. Michael McQueeney, Todd Spitzer and Adam Hearns are also playing consistently. From those five, I feel good about the position come the season opener. Finding a solid starting unit at offensive line has been a real test for spring. Marcus Thomas has performed great at tackle but we are working hard to find the right combination with the other four spots."
The Special Teams:
"I've been impressed with the kicking game. Jonathan Parsons has been solid at PAT/field goal and Tim Mayse is having a great spring in preparation for his senior year."
On Injuries:
"Other than offensive line, another concern has been having four potential starters miss time due to injuries. Corey Ellison and James Singletary have been and will be held out all spring while Isaac Green and Travis Hill have been very limited. Having those four available would raise the level of everyone if they were healthy."
On the First Scrimmage:
"I felt the defense played with enthusiasm and was consistent even though we were missing seven starters from last year's team. The outside running game showed flashes of excitement. However, we have to get better at running inside and pass protection. Justin and Bennett made good decisions throwing the ball and the wide outs were consistent. However, they need to show more `big-play' ability."
On Some Young Players Who Have Stepped Up:
"Ben Davies (offensive line) and Kevin Wiggins (offensive line) have both showed they can be excellent players. I feel Joe Clark will be able to bring a lot to the table at fullback. Defensive end Jeff Bradley has had an outstanding spring and we will count on him heavily this fall."
