SCRIMMAGE #1: Weather notwithstanding, Ferris conducts first scrimmage

Ferris State University running back Tim Hogue follows his blockers and looks for room to run in the open field during Saturday’s scrimmage in Big Rapids at Top Taggart Field. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

By Sandy Gholston

Big Rapids - - From a weather standpoint, Saturday hardly proved to be the best day to be outdoors watching college football in northern Mecosta County.

Outside, however, was exactly where Ferris State University’s football team was as it conducted its first spring scrimmage at Top Taggart Field. Less-than-ideal weather or not, the Bulldogs went to work in front of fans – some of which braved the cold and rainy conditions outdoors in the bleachers while others remained far more comfortable inside the Wheeler Pavilion press box.

The coaching staff put its first, second and third stringers – offense, defense and special teams – through controlled scrimmage situations under the watchful eye of not only the coaches, but also officials who worked the scrimmage for training. Veteran Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce liked a lot of what he saw in the scrimmage that he and his staff will breakdown and examine over the next few days before practice resumes next week.

“We got a lot of good work done and we had a chance to get a lot of people out there who had a chance to compete and that will give us a chance to look over a little more closely what we saw out here (Saturday) as we move forward,” head coach Jeff Pierce said. “The defense is looking pretty good right now, but we had some good things happening out there on offense. There are a lot of good things happening on both sides of the football, right now.”

Defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Duane Wilson liked what he saw from his defensive unit and, specifically, the pressure it was able to generate on the quarterbacks.

“We were trying to get some pressure on the quarterback and we were able to do that at times,” said Wilson, who has a defensive line anchored by All-American lineman Jake Visser. “At this point, we don’t have a lot of our third-and-long packages in, but I thought in all we did pretty well considering we’re missing some key players like (linebacker) Jordan Moore, (defensive end) Kyle Walker and (defensive back) Kyle Williams.”

Ferris State University quarterback Kyle Foster drops back to pass as he is under pressure from the defense. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

Visser, in his final spring practice season, played less near the end of the scrimmage as Wilson wanted to get a look at some younger players like Kory Deering, Leonard Woods and others.

Offensively, the Bulldogs had some strong runs from backs like Paris Holloman and Leonard Curry against what is expected to be a strong defense. Quarterbacks Eric Grozenski, Tom Schneider and Kyle Foster all had moments running the team’s offense – as passers and as runners – during the scrimmage. An offensive line, that has been young in past seasons, is growing and maturing into what could be a strong unit this season.

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