Excitement high at camp's opening practice
8/6/2013 6:56:00 AM | Football
Full of energy even after a full day of conditioning and team meetings, the Kats were raring to go as they looked sharp from beginning to end in Monday's night's practice, the first of their four-week camp.
“The first day was a good day. It was just good to get back out here,” tight end Shane Young said. “It was physical. It went fast. I thought it was a very progressive day for the first day.
“I thought it was a good day for the first day we came out here. It was high tempo, high intensity all day. I thought it went real well.”
While the Kats bring plenty of experienced playmakers at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, as well as on the defensive line and at linebacker, Sam Houston State coach Willie Fritz knows he and his staff have to identify in a short time who fills in the gaping vacancies on the offensive line and the secondary. The Kats are also looking for depth at tight end.
“I didn't get to watch the offensive line as much as I wanted to. I'll talk to (offensive line) coach (Bart) Tatum about that later. He's going to have to evaluate that tape,” Fritz said.
“We've got a lot of guys who are playing for us who, yes, are making the transition from high school to college, but they've played at some really first-rate high schools and they've got some really good experience.”
Offensively, the Kats looked solid with senior starting quarterback Brian Bell and redshirt freshmen Jared Johnson and Don King III and true freshman John Rodrique hitting their targets for the most part.
During the 7-on-7 drill at the end of the practice, all four quarterbacks took snaps as well as Richard Sincere in the Wild Bearkat formation.
Receivers Chance Nelson, Torrance Williams and Stephen Williams, to name a few, reeled in several passes during both portions of Monday's workout.
“I thought it looked really good,” Young said. “It was the best since I've been here and I've been here for the last two championships and this is the best it's looked from day one.”
Defensively, the Bearkats have plenty of returning starters on the defensive line and at linebacker as they look to piece together who will roam the secondary for them.
So far, so good, the Bearkats say.
“We've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of energy today. We've just got to keep it consistent. We just have to keep paying attention and keep focusing, that's the main thing, and keep hustling,” senior defensive end Andrew Weaver said.
“In my opinion, we'll be all right. As long as guys are in the playbook each and every night and pay attention in the meeting room and bring it out on the field, we'll get back to where we were and win it this time.”
Players such as Chuks Orabuchi, who scooped up a fumble during the latter portion of the practice, Chris Grett and Shelby Davis saw snaps in the secondary.
Additionally, the Kats also had solid production at tailback from Timothy Flanders, Keshawn Hill and Ridgeway Frank, who missed last season due to an injury.
“I saw a lot of good things,” Fritz said. “We've got a lot of good veteran players who been through this before for us and know what we're doing. I'm really excited with what a lot of these guys bring to the table. I saw a lot of our vets coaching today. They know what we're looking for. They know what we want.”
Monday's workout was the first of 21 scheduled practice sessions before the final week of August rolls around and preparation begins for the regular-season opener on Aug. 31 against Houston Baptist.
Before the season gets underway, the Bearkats will hold three scrimmages, the first being on Aug. 12, which will give the Kats a good week to see how they've progressed in the first seven days of preseason camp.
“We've just got to get our assignments down and play fast and physical. I'm sure the scrimmage will go good and look great as long as we're out there playing as a team, then I don't see why we can't be the best,” Young said.
“We've got to get better every day,” Weaver added. “We've got to work harder, be more intense for Houston Baptist and then take it week to week after that.”
The Bearkat football team and coaches will take a break from preseason camp to host area youngsters ages five to 12 at the fourth annual "Little Kat" Camp Saturday morning, August 10.
The free clinic will run from 9:45 to 11:20 a.m. No registration is necessary. Kids will participate in offensive and defensive drills for all positions.
Sam Houston State players and coaches will work with the youngsters at various stations teaching the fundamentals of passing, running, catching, blocking and tackling.
The 2013 Little Kat Football Clinic will be held on the field at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
For more information, contact assistant coach Matt Barrett in the SHSU football office by telephone (936) 294-1751 or email mattbarrett@shsu.edu .
Reserved bench season tickets for all seven home games at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium this season are on sale now at www.gobearkats.com . Fans also may call or visit the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of the stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
