SCRIMMAGE #2: Not a finished product … but it’s getting there

Ferris State’s defense, led by tackle Jake Visser (78) and linebacker Kevin Noe (4) bottle up the offense on Saturday during a scrimmage on campus in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

By Sandy Gholston

Big Rapids - - Ferris State’s third week of spring football proved a productive one as the team continued to install more of its offensive and defensive packages in preparation for the final week of practice.

Among many other things, the Bulldogs spent a lot of time working on red zone offense, red zone defense and special teams (particularly execution of field goals and extra-point attempts). The offensive line at times created openings for Ferris’ trio of quarterbacks (Eric Grozenski, Tom Schneider and Kyle Foster) who continued to work on running the team’s option attack. Exploiting some of those seams, the quarterbacks at times managed to scramble into the open field. But, it wasn’t all running. Ferris did work on its passing game as it involved guys like Ron Hardy in the mix – especially in the red zone. The offensive linemen worked to try and contain their defensive counterparts led by All-American tackle Jake Visser who is likely to command double and triple teams all season from opponents.

“We got a lot of good work done (Saturday) and it was nice we were able to get a lot of people in (the scrimmage) and get a good look at a lot of players with more of our offense and defense installed to get a better idea of what we’re going to have,” Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce said as his team conducted its second and final scrimmage Saturday on the practice football fields on the south end of campus. “It was nice for a lot of our young guys to have some opportunities to show what they can do.”

Veteran defensive players such as middle linebacker Kevin Noe and cornerback Terrell Heggins got in good work during the scrimmage as they were tested by the offense. Noe and Heggins, among others, are rounding into the form they want to be in by training camp thanks to another hard-hitting scrimmage – this time on the grass with the field dried out and the weather cooperating. Both needed to be sharp as some of their defensive teammates are out for spring to preserve eligibility. Linebacker Jordan Moore, lineman Kyle Walker and corner Kyle Williams all have been sidelined (Walker due to recovery from surgery), but are expected to be back in the mix in the fall to add to the team’s quality and depth.

Ferris State quarterback Kyle Foster (17) drops back to pass during a scrimmage as part of spring practice on Saturday in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

On the field, the picture is coming into focus and appearing sharper by the day.

“Right now, we’ve installed about all of our offensive and defensive packages,” said Pierce, whose team hosts its annual Crimson and Gold Spring Game Friday (April 25) at Top Taggart Field. “The thing that’s important for our guys right now, since we have pretty much everything installed, is for them to begin grasping what we’re trying to do a lot better as we go into this final week of practice and we want to be as sharp as possible by the time we have our spring game and we begin to look ahead to the fall.”

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com