Camp Report #20: Redbirds Focused to the End

Aug. 16, 2007

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State campus is congested with traffic as students begin to pour back into town, but the Redbird football team remains unscathed as it continues to prepare for a run at the 2007 Gateway Football Conference championship.

"We changed the schedule some today, as we get into one-a-days, and I thought they came out tonight and had a really good practice," head coach Denver Johnson said. "I was concerned that all the hubbub and distractions around campus would manifest itself on the field tonight, but that wasn't the case. We had a crisp, efficient practice and I feel like in the last couple of days some things have really come together for us on both sides of the ball."

The Redbirds worked out for 24, five-minute periods in full pads on the Hancock Stadium turf. Special teams work consisted of punt coverage and punt return. Tom Nelson lined up as the top returner, followed by Jason Horton as the Redbirds' depth chart begins taking shape.

"Guys are starting to rise and fall, and we are even talking about moving some guys around," Johnson said. "But, we want to get through this scrimmage on Saturday and a lot of our decisions will be what we see off that film. I think the best way to evaluate players is in true, game-like conditions with officials and a crowd, to see how they respond when it's live and under the lights."

As the offense lined up for team period, Isaiah Wiggins, Bill Speiser, Jonathan St-Pierre, Joe Niklasch and Brandon Joyce were up front on the offensive line. The wide receivers were Horton and Jake Rourke, with Kedric Meredith at tight end. In the backfield, Luke Drone was under center with Garin Harcar at fullback and Ravel Rice in at tailback.

Defensively, the front four consisted of Jarek Thomas and Adam Blankenship on the ends and Nick Williams and Mike Piton inside. Kye Stewart, Bill Hronec and Pat Cucci were the linebackers, backed up by Kelvyn Hemphill and Jason Tate at corner and Jesse Caesar and Nelson as the safeties.

During the team period, highlights included a 70-yard touchdown pass from Preston Earl to Rourke, while Hemphill intercepted a Sam Donatucci pass.

The Redbirds will return to practice Friday night, before closing camp with the second and final scrimmage on Saturday.

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