April 19, 2008

As I write my final spring practice entry, the 2008 Spring football game is drawing to a close. I'll update with the final score a little later but here are some of the things gleaned from today:

First, the team named the 2008 captains:

Offense
OL Mike Godsil
RB Rashad Jennings
QB Brock Smith

Defense
LB Nick Hursky
DB Ryan Greiser
DL Colin Dugan

Next the team handed out two awards:

Samkon Gado Award (Player showing most improvement over the course of spring practice)
WR Jonathan Crawford (more on him in a moment)
DB Donald Manns

Luke 2:52 Award (whole person development)
DE Steve Ackley 2008 graduate

Stars on offense:
QB Brock Smith. Smith was extremely efficient, and threw two TD passes, including a gorgeous deep ball to Dominic Bolden in the end zone. Smith could be looking at a very good last season as the #1 Flames signal caller
WR Dominic Bolden- Bolden will be the #1 receiver in the fall and he showed it today making a host of stellar catches including a leaping catch on the sideline and the over the shoulder catch on the pass from Brock Smith referenced above.
WR Jonathan Crawford- Crawford had a TD catch on a fade and made a number of good catches as well. Both Bolden and Crawford can count on big seasons this year
RB Rashad Jennings- Rashad played well, running with purpose and eating up large amounts of yardage. He didnt have any huge runs but he will very likely have a big season as well


Defense:
LB Mike Connoly- Mike has been fighting with Ian Childress all spring and it will go right into the fall as to who will be #1 at the Jack position
DB Chuck Duffey- Duffey was all over the field defending against offensive players, and actually had a couple interceptions on the day.
Donald Manns- Manns did get beaten on the TD catch by Matt Lambros, but for the most part he showed why he was voted the most improved player on defense for the spring
Ryan Greiser- The hard hitting defensive back from PA had another pair of bruisers in the game and defended very well.
Ben Shipps- although not a defensive player, special teams was included on teh defensive side of the ball and he looked very good. He hit a 26 yard field goal and both of his extra point attempts. I think he will have the inside track for the kicking job come the fall.


This concludes the 2008 spring practice season for the Liberty University Flames, now the players will work out and official practice for the 2008 season should begin August 1 as the team prepares for the season opener against North Greenville College on Aug 30


Until then...

Fanning the Flames,

BJ Williams