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Opening Saturday bye provides Football with time to heal, reflect
By Jim O'Hara
ROME – Labor Day weekend traditionally signals the start of a new college football season.
This year, however, Shorter University won’t be a part of the hundreds of opening kickoffs that will take place.
For the Hawks, this year’s preseason session has been the longest since the program’s inaugural season seven years ago and head coach Phil Jones’ approach to the delayed start is in line with what James 1:3 teaches: “Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith brings out endurance and steadfastness and patience.”
“Our time is coming,” Jones said as the Hawks closed out preseason workouts and began preparing for their rugged season opener on Sept. 10 in Babson Park, Fla., against No. 20-ranked Webber International.
“It’s been a long, long preseason,” the coach said. “Thankfully, it’s been stretched out because we didn’t have any two-a-days, and that has kept them fresh. The players have handled it well. We’ve has some hot days on the turf, but we’ve have good preparation,”
The lengthy preseason has allowed the Shorter coaching staff to take a close look at all of the more than 160 players that are eager to help the team shake off a 5-6 record last fall.
“Up until this week we were giving everyone plenty of reps,” said Jones. “On Monday we went out with a depth chart in hand. There are still a few more decisions to make, but now we are turning our attention to getting ready for Webber.”
The Hawks understand that Webber will be more than ready to host them.
Still fresh in the Warriors’ minds is what took place in last year’s meeting, when the Hawks handed then No. 22-ranked Webber a 42-14 thrashing at Barron Stadium.
Webber gains an added advantage by opening the season this Saturday at Virginia-Wise while the Hawks sit out the first Saturday in September.
Although Shorter won’t get a “tune-up” test before traveling to Webber, the extended preseason has granted the Hawks an extra week to heal some of the bumps, bruises and strains suffered during the preseason.
“We’ve had a few injuries,” said Jones, “but overall, it has not been that bad.”
Jones has also appreciated the extra opportunities to strengthen the foundation on which the program is built – relationships.
“It’s been a great situation for us,” Jones said of how the Hawks have solidified their relationship with each other, the coaching staff and, above all else, the Lord. “We’ve had great leadership by the seniors.
“Our time is coming.”
