August 20, 1998

First Scrimmage "Sloppy" According To Furman's Johnson

GREENVILLE -- Furman head football coach Bobby Johnson labeled Thursday's first scrimmage of the pre-season as a "sloppy performance" but one that included plenty of enthusiasm.

"It (the scrimmage) went about the way I though it would, the execution was sloppy but the enthusiasm was there," said Johnson following the Paladins' two-hour afternoon practice that included a 50 minute scrimmage. "I was most impressed with the attitude of the players. They are trying hard to do everything right, but with some of the younger players you can see their heads start spinning. It's all new to them, but the good thing is they are working hard."

The Paladins conducted individual and group contact work in the morning before scrimmaging during the afternoon session. The scrimmage featured two series' of work for Furman's first team offense against the first team defense, and second team offensive unit against the second team defense. The Paladins finished up with 10 minutes of work on PATs and field goals.

"Desmond Kitchings (Wagener, S.C.) has been outstanding , and our offensive line, and in particular Mark Foster (Williamston, S.C.), continues to work well," added Johnson. "Overall, the players we are expecting big things from, like Orlando Ruff (Winnsboro, S.C.), are performing as we expected, and they are keeping everybody fired up."

One newcomer Johnson singled out for praise on Thursday was freshman linebacker Sterling Frierson (Woodrow, S.C.).

"Sterling Frierson continues to make a lot of good plays at linebacker. He has a lot to learn, but he has a real nose for the football."

Furman continues its twice daily practices in full gear on Friday before Saturday's scheduled two-hour scrimmage beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Paladin Stadium.

Notes: Three Paladin wide receivers -- split ends Kevin Stewart (shoulder contusion) and James Thomas (shoulder sprain), and flanker Bear Rinehart (tendonitis) -- sat out Thursday's scrimmage due to injuries, and a fourth, flanker Larral Marshall, went down early in the afternoon session with a leg contusion. Placekicker Jason Wells has also been slowed in the pre-season with tendonitis. He is expected to return to action Friday.