Reloading underway for ’Hawks
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/brog/Sports/60312/
PEA RIDGE — The reloading process is underway here for the Pea Ridge Blackhawks. They opened spring football practices Tuesday.
“ We’ve got a receiving corps to fill, the backfield to refill and the secondary, ” second-year coach Mark Laster said after the third day of 2-hour practice.
“ We have a lot of work ahead of us trying to fill some spots. ”
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“ We have a lot of available spots open right now, ” Laster said. “ We’re trying to find out who we need to play. ”
The Blackhawks (5-5 ) finished 1-3 A Conference play at 3-4 and missed the state playoffs last season when they changed head coaches.
Laster introduced the forward pass to the town’s folk, running a well-balanced run-pass offense.
They make a bigger move this fall up to the 1-4 A Conference, which is even more dominated by the passing game.
Laster is thankful this team has one year worth of experience running the spread offense.
They’re also thankful here to have their star junior quarterback Kip Kelly back healthy. Kelly broke his arm midway through the season. He mended well and had a stand-out basketball season.
“ Kip’s doing well and that’s a positive thing about coming back out this spring, ” Laster said. “ We don’t completely have to revamp everything. I know it’s a lot less stressful on me right now. ”
Pea Ridge was in shoulder pads and helmets Tuesday. The team suited up fully Wednesday and Thursday. Today’s to be more of the same head knocking.
It won’t use all 10 days.
“ Unless you’re at one of the bigger schools, I don’t think you need all 10 days, ” the coach said.
With versatile running and throwing threat Kelly back under center, Laster said Tyler Ramsey is looking good at running back and wide receiver.
Laster also said returning running back Denver Bell has had a good few days in practice.
One nice surprise has been the addition of newcomer Randy Nelson, a senior lineman who has not played football since the ninth grade.
Nelson goes 6-foot, 265 pounds and was the strongest player in the weight room.
“ He squats 535-pounds and his four lifts were 1, 540 pounds, ” Laster said. “ He’s still thinking up there on the line. He’s going to be good once he starts reacting instead of thinking. ”
That’s just once more piece of the reloading process, the head coach said.
Pea Ridge will conclude spring practices Wednesday with a 2-hour afternoon scrimmage.