BLOG 18: Things to look for in the Crimson and Gold Spring Game

Ferris back Tim Hogue (1) turns the corner as he tries to escape the defense during a spring football scrimmage (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – On a personal note, I’ve long enjoyed the opportunity to check out the Crimson and Gold Spring Game.

This year’s game will be played Friday night beginning at 6 p.m. at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. Fans would be wise to take an opportunity to visit Big Rapids for the big game. Fans can not only enjoy the football action, but all of the festivities that surround the spring game.

On the field, there will be no shortage of things for fans to be paying attention to as they start trying to forecast how the Bulldogs will look in the fall.

Here are a few things to keep your eyes on:

• Who’s calling the signals? All eyes (or most of them) will be on the battle for quarterback snaps as Tom Schneider and Kyle Parrish are the guys who shared most of the duties last year. Both guys have looked solid during the spring. Also, Robert Banaszak, a younger guy, is showing some signs he will be a solid signal caller in the future. Ferris appears to be in good hands at the quarterback position.

• Who are the athletes who will emerge? We all know about the talents of Tim Hogue, but who are some of the other guys poised to step up? At different points during the spring, D.J. Freeman has shown some explosiveness – as has Arshaun Hall.

• Who’s going to back up the defensive line? A number of guys are in the mix to replace the trio of linebackers (Kevin Noe, Jeff Hollandsworth and Jordan Moore). Ferris has some guys with experience like Nick Butler, Kyle Fitzpatrick, Chad Schoen, and Leon Curry could be among the guys fighting to move up the depth chart.

• Experience on experience. The defensive backs going against the receivers should create some fun matchups in the spring game. Ferris’ defensive backs are looking pretty solid with C.J. Lee, Santino Favot, Chad Wilson, Russell Weatherspoon and Angelo Williams going against receivers such as Chris Wilson, D.J. Freeman, Tim Hogue, Damien Miller, Seth Hubbard, Mike Ryan and others.

• What’s up with the D-Line? Kory Deering, Jacob Moreno and Joe Morrow will be among the guys hoping to make an impact in the trenches. Those big D-Line guys can use the experience they’ve gained in the past to their advantage in this spring game and in the fall.

• Just for kicks. Another thing for fans to be look at is who emerges in the kicking and punting games.

For more on the spring game, and Gridiron Club festivities surrounding the game, visit:
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/sports/football/09news/09springgame.htm

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