Pre-Season Diary: Entry 7
I apologize for leaving you all hanging yesterday.  I was over at WSHA making sure all the equipment is working and recording spots for the broadcast Saturday.  I went out to practice yesterday but not today as my son Blake had his own practice today.  My wife was telling me that he looked good in practice on Tuesday.  He was hitting people out there!  That was certainly a change from when he played three years ago when he wouldn't tackle anybody.  But he did look good in drills.  On one drill he was the running back, there was a blocker in front of him and a defender trying to get around the blocker.  There was also a player free, who was unblocked in the backfield, also waiting to tackle him.  

"Down, set, go!"  Blake was off and running.  His blocker held off the initial tackler, which left him one-on-one with the free player.  "Ooooh.  Whoa."  That was the reaction from myself and the other parents as he side stepped the tackler and ran free.  I had him set to play wide receiver, but maybe we are talking running back?

Yesterday I talked to Ms. Speight, who is the cheerleading coach.  She told me that 26 cheerleaders tried out to be a Chi-Chi and she has narrowed it down to 16.  "You have to be able to do more than shake it.  Being a Chi-Chi is hard work."  Ms. Speight does an absolutely outstanding job with the Chi-Chi's.

I also went out to practice yesterday.  The guys were still working on drills, preparing for Livingstone on Saturday.  One of the drills that Coach Clark was administering was a defensive linemen drill in which one defensive linemen would chase another defensive linemen around two circles.  The chasee would have to stay within the confines of the circles.  If the chaser tagged the chasee, then the chasee becomes the chaser and vice-versa.  Very interesting.  After individual drills the guys then went 11-on-11.

I was talking to Courtland Rush's father today.  You know Courtland.  He is the back-up quarterback, who went to Sanderson High School here in Raleigh.  He has come out to practice quite often and has been quite impressed with Courtland.  I must say that Courtland has been quite impressive.  He is very smart, makes good reads and gets the ball to the receivers.  He has looked good in practice and I know if his time comes, he'll be ready to go.  I don't want to give anything away, but this offense will be a lot different from the offense that was run last year.  The offense last year was really good, leading the CIAA in total offense, and was ranked amongst the nation's leaders as well.  We could potentially see even more points scored this year and a lot more excitement.  Coach Farrier has implemented a lot of new things and you I guarantee you, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Like I said I didn't get out to practice today.  Just way too much going on, trying to get ready for Saturday and our first home game as well which is Sept. 4 against Johnson C. Smith.  I am just glad that we don't have a home game this week, with all the things that still need to be done.

If you can't make it to Livingstone on Saturday, check out the games on the historic Shaw Bear Sports Radio Network on  a station near you or log click the BEAR RADIO logo at the top right corner of this page.  Kalia Quarles, an All-CIAA performer on the volleyball team will be the first student-athlete featured on the halftime show.

Well I've gotta run.  Just two days left!.  Unbelievable.