'Necks to hold spring scrimmage
Ken Woods
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Sports
The Leathernecks football team will hold its annual spring scrimmage game Saturday at Hanson Field.
Spring football is a time for the coaching staff to get a feel for the players and monitor their progress as they head into summer training camp. Overall, the players have responded well in these early stages of preparation.
"Our players have had a great spring, although we haven't had too many chances to practice outside," said head coach Don Patterson. "Our players are resilient in that way, they just keep working hard despite the weather."
Although the spring season has been steady, Patterson expressed the worries he has about the inexperience among the five men up front. They only have 15 starts between them.
"We are very young along the offensive line in the amount of starts they have had," Patterson said. "(Senior) Mike Lamphear is our most experienced starter for the fall with 13 games, but we are still relatively inexperienced up front."
Contrary to the O-line, the man they will be protecting has garnered a lot of experience calling the signals. Junior quarterback Matt Barr started 10 out of 11 games for the 'Necks last season in addition to playing the majority of the 2007 campaign.
Barr has experienced some competition this spring at the quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Will Lunt has come on strong and made strides in the passing game.
"Matt Barr has had a great spring. You won't see him make many mistakes," Patterson said. "Lunt has had a great spring too and has spent some time with the first team in our practices. On Saturday, Lunt will see a good amount of the snaps with the first team. Also, he has shown a strong arm, but now it's time to see how he performs in front of a crowd."
In addition to the two quarterbacks having a good spring, junior wide receiver Lito Senatus has made his mark a s well. Patterson said that he has been a leader on the field and shown the ability to make all the catches.
Spring football is a time for the coaching staff to get a feel for the players and monitor their progress as they head into summer training camp. Overall, the players have responded well in these early stages of preparation.
"Our players have had a great spring, although we haven't had too many chances to practice outside," said head coach Don Patterson. "Our players are resilient in that way, they just keep working hard despite the weather."
Although the spring season has been steady, Patterson expressed the worries he has about the inexperience among the five men up front. They only have 15 starts between them.
"We are very young along the offensive line in the amount of starts they have had," Patterson said. "(Senior) Mike Lamphear is our most experienced starter for the fall with 13 games, but we are still relatively inexperienced up front."
Contrary to the O-line, the man they will be protecting has garnered a lot of experience calling the signals. Junior quarterback Matt Barr started 10 out of 11 games for the 'Necks last season in addition to playing the majority of the 2007 campaign.
Barr has experienced some competition this spring at the quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Will Lunt has come on strong and made strides in the passing game.
"Matt Barr has had a great spring. You won't see him make many mistakes," Patterson said. "Lunt has had a great spring too and has spent some time with the first team in our practices. On Saturday, Lunt will see a good amount of the snaps with the first team. Also, he has shown a strong arm, but now it's time to see how he performs in front of a crowd."
In addition to the two quarterbacks having a good spring, junior wide receiver Lito Senatus has made his mark a s well. Patterson said that he has been a leader on the field and shown the ability to make all the catches.
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