Fall Camp Report: Friday, August 15
8/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
SFA Practice Report – Friday, August 15, 2014
Time: 3:45 to 5:20 p.m.
Periods: 18
Attire: Shells and shorts
Practice Notes:
· SFA held its final practice before Saturday’s first scrimmage of the fall camp at Homer Bryce Stadium
· Tempo was the theme of the day as the ‘Jacks practiced at game-speed, including a simulated two minute situation for the final handful of periods
· The Lumberjacks also spent a good portion of practice working on third-and-long situations, seeing a respectable split between the offense and defense on conversion attempts
· SFA’s first scrimmage is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Homer Bryce Stadium. The ‘Jacks will run through a set number of plays utilizing primarily the two deep rosters as the scrimmage should run approximately two hours
Offensive Notes:
· Quarterbacks: Zach Conque continues to run the first string offense for SFA with Joe Minden and Hunter Taylor splitting time with the second team. However, offensive coordinator Matt Kubik has played all three quarterbacks with the different lines to build familiarity.
· Receivers: Tyler Boyd and Aaron Thomas continue to look sharp through the first week and a half of camp, pacing the SFA receivers. DJ Ward, Marquis Mosley and Braxton Bearden have all made key plays with Aaron Piper, Bradley Krall and newcomer A.J. Jones emerging as threats.
· Running Backs: Gus Johnson continues to do what Gus Johnson does – make plays. Joshawa West and newcomer Cameron Washington have proven to be key components of SFA’s running attack. Fred Ford has also bounced back after missing spring practices with an injury.
· Offensive Line: Injuries to a handful of starters have given opportunities to some newcomers to step in and make a name for themselves. Byron Williams and David Dane continue to anchor the line with transfers Michael Boddie and Jake Wallace seeing significant time at right tackle and center, respectively.
Defensive Notes:
· Defensive Line: An area of the team that has experienced probably the biggest improvement since the start of spring. Veterans Ishmiah Miles, Shayvion Hatten and Lance Skyler have provided a spark up front for the ‘Jacks with freshman John Franklin catching the eye of the coaching staff for his efforts.
· Linebackers: Another area of the field that has seen an improvement, led by seniors Collin Garrett and Marvin Gray. Newcomers Justin Owens and Chip Jones have bolstered the corps as Jabralon Allen and Rodney Young have had strong fall camps as well
· Secondary: A corps of Lumberjacks playing with a chip on their shoulders, seniors Trey Vallier and Keavon Madison, as well as newcomer Maurice Poullard have added an attitude to this unit. A number of defensive backs have progressed as well, including returners Patrick Martin, Avery Henderson and Jamal Allen and newcomers Marlon Walls, Calvin Lewis, Alex Miller and BJ Fashola
Next Practices: Saturday, August 16 · Scrimmage #1 · 4 p.m.
Practice Q&A: sophomore quarterback Zach Conque
On the progress of the offense through the first half of fall camp:
“As an offense, you can definitely tell since day one we’ve improved tremendously. From the tempo to knowing the schemes and getting the right personnel, we’re starting to get that all sorted out. We’ve become much more precise. We still need to work on a handful of things, but the more reps you take, the better you get. As an offense as a whole, we’ve figured out our identity, and things are becoming more clear.”
On how the familiarity with the receivers is coming along:
“It’s going well. Everyday we do routes with practically all the receivers, and that’s the biggest thing for us as quarterbacks is to build that relationship. We don’t want to leave them out there or have the defensive backs lurking. We’re working on developing that timing with those (receivers) , and when it comes to man-on-man situations, we’re building that familiarity. We’ve really build that connection very well throughout the camp.”
On the progress of the defensive unit:
“The defense has grown incredibly since the spring. Guys like Marvin Gray, Collin Garrett, Keavon Madison and Maurice Poullard – each of them are incredible. Every day when I go against those guys I know I’m going against some of the best. Like my dad always says, ‘iron sharpens iron,’ and I feel like going out and competing against those guys day in and day out makes me better as a quarterback and makes our offense better as well.”
On playing at a high tempo for the majority of practice:
“That’s exactly how its going to be when the games start, and that’s how we want it to be. Yes, we’re tired at the end of practice, but we’ll be tired late in games as well when it matters most. By playing at this speed it helps us hone in and get ready for those game days when the adrenaline gets pumping and everyone is ready to rock and roll, but that doesn’t last the whole game. This whole high tempo stuff -we’re definitely getting comfortable with it and that’s something that we’ll get more and more use to as the season goes on as well.”
On what to expect for the first scrimmage Saturday afternoon:
“I really just want to go out and execute. I don’t need to throw those big balls for long scores or anything like that, I just want to be precise. This will be a good time to get out and get the personnel right, make the right reads, put the ball in the right places and if it turns into a big play, even better. I want to see the offense compete, finish, and win that play, and then keep doing that over and over again.”
On if the prospect of a scrimmage is exciting to break the monotony of camp:
“Oh absolutely. I was telling coach Kubik that its different when we go through these drills and the defense just tags us and that is the end of the play. Once we go live, its tackle until the play is over or we score that touchdown. We finally get to go 100 percent and that’s definitely something we’re looking forward to.”
-SFA-
