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Lee pleased with Jackets' first spring scrimmage |
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
By DON FOSTER
Starkville Daily News
It turned out to be a nice evening for a little pitch and catch.
It may have been a little windy and overcast, but otherwise ideal conditions prevailed Thursday for the Starkville Yellowjackets' first scrimmage of the spring.
A mid-day downpour didn't cause any problems for the late-afternoon session that lasted about two hours.
Four quarterbacks got in a "lot of good work" according to Starkville head coach Bill Lee.
"I was pleased with all the quarterbacks," he said in reference to their most extensive work of the spring.
He said Justin Rodgers, Colton Phelps, Justin Minor, and Jacquez Johnson all had a good session.
"Their execution was good and they all threw the ball well," Lee said.
Lee said their were some bright spots on defense as well.
"I thought Josh Henley, Jeremy Bishop, and Craig Armstead all did a good job, along with Sherrod Robinson," Lee said.
He said Ben Newman, Jacob Davis, Lawrence Riley, Bennie Henderson, Jesse Coffee, and Trey Robinson showed positive signs as well.
"They blocked well," acknowledged Lee. "We still have some guys out, and it will be good to get them back."
Returning center Lake Jackson is one of the key players on the sidelines.
It didn't take the Jackets long to go to the air, although they picked up a nice gain over tackle on the first play from scrimmage.
On the next play, Minor completed a short swing pass to Kasey Akins for a substantial gain. Then Rodgers went downfield before connecting from eight yards out to wide receiver Chuck Tillery in the end zone. Left-footed kicker Will Arick split the uprights on the PAT attempt.
Phelps tucked the ball under his arm for a 16-yard gain before hooking up with Akins on an eight-yard swing pass for another score.
Defensive back Stanley Ingram picked off a pass on the next offensive series and appeared to be on his way to returning the theft for a score before Garrett Smith closed the gap in time to make a TD-saving tackle inside the 20.
"That was a nice play both ways," said Lee. "The pick ... and then Smith wouldn't give up on the play and made the touchdown-saving tackle."
Johnson had some success throwing the ball, first to Perez Young and then to Tillery for a couple of big gainers. Smith capped one drive on a 12-yard TD scamper on a beautifully executed pitchout.
Gaylon Ware, D.J. Jordan, Billy Shed, and Marcus Tate were in on a lot of plays on defense.
Starkville will play Noxubee County in its annual Spring Game, either May 15 or 16, depending on the weather. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 10 May 2008 )
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