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Successful spring game caps productive spring season for Hawks
ROME – The Shorter University football team wrapped
up spring practice with its annual spring game held on campus at
Ben Brady Field on Saturday morning.
The game, played in front of several hundreds of Shorter supporters, put the finishing touches on a spring season that head coach Phil Jones believes is the best the program has ever witnessed.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this was the best spring that we have had,” said Jones, who has led the Hawks to four winning seasons in the first six years of the program. “Our guys have worked extremely hard and came into spring practice in better condition and a little bit stronger.
“They feel good about themselves and that’s a big deal. I am very proud of that.”
The crowd, which gave the Hawks a standing ovation as they huddled in the middle of the field immediately following the scrimmage, was treated to a game filled with enthusiasm and energy.
Over 120 athletes dressed for Shorter on Saturday and every single one got ample playing time. There were four offensive and four defensive groups and each was on the field for two, seven-play sessions at the very least.
“I was so glad that we were able to get everyone in there,” said Jones. “In spring practice, every player deserves an opportunity to play and to give us the chance to watch and evaluate him on film.”
Shorter has several points of emphasis that the coaching staff hoped to address in the offseason, most notably finding a replacement for the graduating Ben Williams, the Hawks’ three-year starter at quarterback, and improving upon team speed on the defensive side of the football.
According to Jones, he saw some positives with both units and proof that the Hawks are headed in the right direction.
“One of the positives that jumps out at me is the enthusiasm and the effort put forth by our defense,” said Jones, who saw the Hawks’ defensive unit return an interception 65 yards for a touchdown for the game’s only score. “Today our defensive guys rose up and played hard. They have had a great spring and our defensive coaches and players saw all of their hard work pay off today.
“Offensively, I think we are going to be fine,” Jones added. “We fumbled the ball today and I am concerned about that, but all in all, the effort was great all spring and when you have that, you can develop a good football team.”
Jones was quick to credit the offseason weight training and conditioning program constructed and administered by strength and conditioning coach Ben Lampkin for getting the Hawks as prepared as they have ever been for the spring.
The Hawks needed every bit of it too, as they had to navigate through three weeks of practices that began as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 6:30 p.m.
Still, Shorter showed well on Saturday, and Jones was especially complimentary of the support his team received from family, friends and the local Rome community.
“We are so excited about having this many people coming to watch our team and be a part of this program,” said Jones. “It means an awful lot to us.
“It is a lift for all of us who coach here and play here.”
