Coach Clark: Post-Camp Update

The decision has been made to start Hagan Driskell vs. Averett University on Saturday. At this point we feel the arm of Hagan gives us the best that chance to keep our playmakers involved in the game. In our pre-season contest he was quicker and more decisive with the ball and although he will not ever be the type of QB who has a little bit of tailback in him, he has worked hard to improve foot speed and decision making. Vince Reese still brings a lot of intangibles to the table, but some shoulder soreness impacted his throwing as camp went on. He has game experience and that is always a good thing to have standing next to you on the bench. In the FUMA game Jacob Hutchinson with the third offensive line moved the ball with his unit on a defense that had 11 Division I players on it. He is the fastest of the bunch and we will continue to get him up to speed on the offense itself.

We will have to take a pro approach with the offensive line. Between seven or eight guys we have to keep five spots covered. We took a hit when Matt Gammon was forced to quit football because of back problems last week. In the freshmen group, there is great potential and good athletes by o-line standards, but right now they need to develop that mental maturity to play hard every play and learn a complicated position. We enter this Saturday with fingers crossed and as the season progresses a couple in the young group will need to grow up.

In the last couple of days injury hit the skill groups with the exception of TE and FB. Darrin McKenzie will miss this game on Saturday and we are hoping the weekend rest pulls some others in this group off of the IR (Injured Reserve) list. In a game of match-ups we have some kids who make the first guy miss. Fast guys make good coaches. I was pleased with how hard and strong the young RBs ran in the pre-season game vs. FUMA.

On the defensive side our first group has played pretty consistent through most of camp. They are a tough group to keep blocked and if we secure the coverage aspects of defense I think the group will be a real challenge for our opponents to block. The Secondary is improved and experienced and although the loss of Damien Ward will impact depth, every player in the umbrella part of our defense has game experience.

Several freshmen in the offensive line will crack the two deep. On defense, Joel Francis has that chance in the defensive line but the majority of these kids’ contributions will be in the kicking game and in our JV and support structures. This is how it should be in good programs although I know it is frustrating for young and athletic kids to accept this sometime.

We will choose a placekicker this week, Tim Newman will punt and look for kids like Leigh Bradley, who make quality contributions in all phases of the kicking game, to stand out. We put our best players on these teams and our goal is to get them out of neutral. You cannot just exchange the ball with the kicking game; good teams gain an advantage with this 20% of the game.

Sunday we took our first day off since August 15th. I told our coaches to stay away from the office. Our next off day is in October so at this point both the coaches and players need a fresh face and voice to see and listen to.

We’re still undefeated in 2009 and the Averett team that we have studied on film at the end of 2008 is much better than the group that opened against us. It will be a good challenge and measuring stick for our group.

With the Dukes starting late we are the only Saturday show in town. It is a cheap quality ticket, come out and give us a chance. Go Eagles.

Pre-Camp Update

We are winding down our final pre-season preparation and look forward to getting the kids back on campus next weekend. Gave the coaches off last weekend and advised them to do something fun other than football which will consume us to some extent for the next four months. The ODAC coaches’ poll reflects the balance in the league. I think you had six of the seven coaches in a very confident state of mind at that event. Nobody is beaten in August in Division III, and that is how it should be.

I have stated throughout this off-season that just having people back does not necessarily make you better. For the most part I think our kids have bought into this and we will bring improved people back who are both bigger and stronger.

There are four areas we will need to improve in 2009 to position ourselves for a title run.

1. The production at the quarterback position must increase and play there, although it does not necessarily have to be fantastic, it has to be consistent. Both Vince and Hagan have worked better in the off-season and they will get the first shot. The first 7 to 10 days will be open competition between those two and some of the more athletic younger kids in the program. We have speed at the skill positions that needs to be fed somewhat. I doubt we will have big number (statistic) kids at the RB/WR/TE positions because we have excellent depth and a lot of people will play, but as a group we look for big production here.

2. Securing the offensive line is a must. Here we have a core group returning, but our numbers are razor thin. The seven returners in the program need to hold together and if there is a window for a young player to contribute it is here. We will need to move any quality freshman who wants a shot to play here to try to develop some two-deep depth. Coach Martiny will have to take a pro approach where kids play multiple positions. Without a secure line of scrimmage, speed does not show on the outside. The sack issue last year which by no means was solely an offensive line problem needs to be reduced. That involves all the offensive positions and schemes themselves.

3. On defense we need to secure the coverage aspect of our defensive package. Over 33% of the touchdowns scored on us last year were the result of confusion or misalignment. You have to make people earn points and this was a platter of free goods we need to take away. Our speed on defense will eventually make plays if we make an offensive unit work for it the hard way. We return three players (2 of whom had All-ODAC credentials) to this side of the ball from academic layoffs in 2008. If you play great defense and are sound in the kicking game, you will always have a chance to win in the fourth quarter.

4. We need to get the kicking game out of neutral. The past two years we have been right down the middle with this 20% of the game. Special teams start with the kickers and then it becomes about space and speed. If the kickers do their part, we will put our best athletes around them and try to gain an advantage in this phase of the game. The “Didn’t help you, didn’t hurt you” approach of the last two seasons must change.

I encourage our fans to come out to the Pigskin Preview on Saturday the 22nd. Details willbe on the website Monday. Also, our Sports Information office has done a great job on the Presto Sports Website and following the Eagles will be easier again in 2009. Plan to keep you in the loop.

Go BC,

Coach Clark

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