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Football team improving, maturing for upcoming season |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
by RYAN WIXTED
Sports Editor
With five months until the kick-off of the 2008 season, the Appalachian State University football team has already begun making preparations for a fourth-straight title march.
Last week the Mountaineers wrapped up their 15 allotted spring practices for the year. The majority of the practice sessions were spent on individual and team drills, with an inter-squad scrimmage on the final day of practice.
ASU head coach Jerry Moore was pleased with the strides the team has been able to make, but noted there is still plenty of work to be done before the season opener at Louisiana State University Aug. 30.
“We’ve had a nice spring all around,” Moore said. “The intensity level
has been good, and I thought it was really good coming back that we
didn’t have to bark at them a whole a lot. They know what’s expected
and I was really pleased.”
Despite the departure of several seniors from last year’s team, the
coaching staff has been impressed with several offensive reserves
getting their chance to display their talents, one being rising junior
running back Devon Moore.
Moore, who spent last season on the second string team behind
All-American running back Kevin Richardson said spring practice has
allowed him an opportunity to mature more at his position.
“I feel like I am learning the holes a lot better, seeing more things,”
he said. “The game has slowed down for me a whole lot. Being here two
years and getting experience from going to the playoffs, playing 16
games instead of 12, has helped me a whole lot in seeing the field and
reading the defense.”
Moore hasn’t been the only one turning heads. Rising sophomore wide
receiver CoCo Hillary has picked up from where he left off last season,
and will be relied upon to do more this season.
During practices, Hillary could be seen taking snaps at quarterback with
the second team offense, and returning punts during special team
workouts.
“It’s been a great opportunity to do a lot of different things on the
field,” Hillary said. “Being a big asset to the team makes you feel
special, makes you fill like a big part of the team.”
For Hillary, spring practice has also been about learning new things, particularly on special teams.
“Coach [A.C.]
Carter is working with me, trying to get me better,” Hillary said of
fielding punts. “I’m working on catching the ball and just being
confident in my receiving and blocking. It’s going to be a real test,
especially when you get some real contact and real game situations.”
On the defensive side, the departure of all four seniors in the
secondary has left the door open for several former back-ups to make
their mark.
Rising senior safety Leonard Love and rising junior Cortez Gilbert will be looked upon to lead this year’s unit.
Love believes, as a group, the secondary has made big strides during the spring sessions.
“We’re maturing day-by-day and we’re jelling as a group,” he said.
“We’re not making as many mistakes in our coverage, and that has been a
big improvement for us.”
One of the areas the Mountaineers struggled with last season was on the
defensive line. However, ASU defensive line coach Mark Speir said
several players made big impressions this spring and hopes it will
translate into the fall.
Two of the guys are defensive linemen Gordy Witte and Malcolm Bennett.
Witte, a red shirt freshman, has coaches excited about his potential and has not disappointed this spring.
“I was very impressed with Witte,” Speir said. “I always knew he had
the potential and talent. He is a big man, so I was concerned when he
got tired that he would quit, and I was also worried about his mental
toughness, but he showed up this spring and I was really impressed.”
Bennett is a rising junior and Georgia Military College transfer. So
far this spring he has been able to fill the void that has lingered at
the defensive tackle position.
“Bennett is going to be an extremely good player. It’s a huge [plus]
for us,” Speir said. “I think he is going to be a dominant player in
this league.”
Players to Watch in 2008
| Jr. Running Back Devon Moore | Sr. Safety
Leonard Love | Jr. Wide Receiver Josh Johnson | So. Linebacker
D.J. Smith |  |  |  |  | | Had
solid spring and will look to build upon an impressive year from last
season, when he stepped in for the injured Kevin Richardson during the
end of the season. | A solid back-up the last three years at the safety position. Love finished the season with 19 tackles and one interception. | Made
the transition this spring from the “X” to the “Z” position at
receiver. Will be expected to provide a big presence in the passing
game next season. | Coming
off a solid freshmen year where he accumulated 121 tackles and two
interceptions. The Charlotte native continued his impressive play this
spring and will be force next fall.
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*Editor’s Note: Years indicate standings for next season.
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