Wide receiver Troy Hunter hauled in two touchdowns during the scrimmage portion of Illinois States Saturday morning practice, as the Redbird offense started to build some momentum heading into Sundays scrimmage.
Thats kind of the way it goes in spring practice, head coach Denver Johnson said. One side or the other will tend to dominate depending on what the agenda is for the day. The offense really came out and responded well. There was some improvement and a lot of encouragement. I asked them for a good practice and I think they gave us one.
Both Kevin Zouzounis and Mike Souza connected with Hunter for scores, while receivers Jon Laurenti, Justin Frierson and Steve Statz pulled down passes as well. On the defensive end, another Redbird linebacker stepped up with a huge day. Andrew Papoccia picked off two passes and lowered his shoulder on a tackle that electrified the ISU practice.
We have some individuals on defense who are really starting to emerge, Johnson added. Papoccia is one and Boomer (Grigsby) is another who are really starting to emerge as a dependable playmaker. Cerone Colvin is also looking good, along with Ray Robinson, Jonathan Friend and Stuart Sands. Defensively we dont have a lot in numbers right now, but were running to the football extremely well right now. We have asked for great intensity and great effort and we are certainly getting that out of them.
The Redbirds will take the field again on Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., for their fifth workout in as many days. But, Sunday will also be the second of three team scrimmages. Johnson indicated that the scrimmage will be similar to the one conducted last Thursday, with the plan of multiple offensive personnel combinations.
Again, we want to get as many different people in as many different situations as we possibly can, Johnson said. Were not getting ready to play a football game; were trying to develop depth and develop our young players. We want to get as many of them on film for our evaluation and their development.
