According to Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson, his team wrapped-up spring drills Friday on the right foot, ready to take the field on Saturday for the annual red/white scrimmage.
We really wound it down today, rehearsing some things for tomorrow, Johnson said. We talked a little about what we are going to do tomorrow and packed it up neatly. I know we will come out, ready to have some fun.
Johnson added that the family atmosphere at Saturdays scrimmage will have a big impact on his team.
We have a lot of parents and family here this weekend, Johnson said. It is a great time for some of the transfers to show their parents around and for them to get familiar with Redbird football as well as some of the older guys to enjoy their last spring fling.
While the spring may be winding down with the 15th and final practice allotted to the team on Saturday, Johnson saw some positive signs from his players throughout the spring training camp.
We had an extremely productive spring, Johnson said. We looked at a lot of guys in different situations and obviously some guys are emerging as go-to players while others are starting to show promise. We will sit down as a coaching staff in a few weeks, go back through each individual and evaluate the whole thing from top to bottom which will steer us into the summer and eventually fall.
The scrimmage is set for 2:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium while a tailgate, which will feature the 2003 Redbirds and coaching staff, will take place starting at 1 p.m. in the Ropp Lot directly north of the stadium.
