I saw some very encouraging things during today’s scrimmage at Dix Stadium.
Yes, Dri Archer is gone, and even with Trayion Durham still out as he works his way back from injury and backup running backs Anthony Meray and Nick Holley sitting out, there were plenty of playmakers on the field on Saturday.
Sophomore wide receiver James Brooks was especially impressive with the first-team offense. He made some nice catches over the middle and picked up some yards after the catch while showing off the ability to evade tacklers in the open field. One particular grab on a third-and-eight situation stood out.
I was also impressed with the work of freshmen running backs Miles Hibbler and Raekwon James. Both got extended work with Durham, Meray and Nick Holley all watching from the sideline. I talked with head coach Paul Haynes after the scrimmage, and he said Meray and Holley were held out just as a precaution.
Hibbler has a nice combination of strength and speed. He is also quick to the hole, as he demonstrated with an 18-yard touchdown run right through the middle of the second-team defense on the very first play of red-zone work.
James showed off his elusiveness on a 40-yard run that would have been the day’s first touchdown on a third-and-four situational if not for a holding penalty. He also put a move on sophomore safety Nick Cuthbert on the edge during a sweep to the right that got him to the second level for a long run late in the day.
Colin Reardon was sharp running the first team offense, and while he technically wasn’t live, he did some physically impressive things, getting to the second level to deliver a block on a running play and outrunning defenders while breaking away for some extra yards on keepers.
Reardon also nearly hit tight end Brice Fackler for an early touchdown, but redshirt freshman corner Eric Church made a nice play on the football to knock it away at the goal line. William Woods did catch a touchdown pass from Reardon later in the day, taking a throw in the flat and fighting his way into the end zone on a third-and-four play during red-zone work.
The most impressive catch of the day may have been turned in by tight end Ryan Malone, though. The redshirt freshman adjusted in mid air to catch an 18-yard throw for the end zone from Nathan Strock that was slightly high and behind Malone.
Elcee Refuge continues to play well at the star position. I was standing on the sideline with the offense when Refuge put put a hit on a running back as the No. 1 defense worked against the No. 2 offense. “Man, that kid can hit,” a voice said in the middle of the crowded sideline.
After practice, Paul Haynes spent about a half hour talking with fans during Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day at Dix Stadium. It’s a nice event that gives fans a chance to get a little more of an inside look at the team, and it’s just another benefit of becoming a season ticket holder.
Next week is the last of preseason camp and then the Flashes will start full scale preparation for the opener against Ohio University on Aug. 30.
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