Aug. 13, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. - In the first practice of the 2010 season in full pads, the Football Monarchs worked on fourth down drills at varied distances, the "coming out/backed up" drill with the offense trying to flip the field after being pinned back at their own 10-yard line, time working in the redzone, and installation of the kickoff unit.
During the first team drill, the defense won the fourth down drill having stopped their teammates from advancing in eight of the 15 reps taken. Among the defensive highlights was Paul Morant (Hampton, Va.) intercepting a pass for a touchdown and Edmon McClam (Coward, S.C.) and Tyler Damato (Va. Beach, Va.) teaming up for a sack. Three other occasions, the defensive line held to keep the offense from advancing. Offensive highlights included quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) with a QB keeper for his squad, while tight end Kai Blanco (Alexandria, Va.) got the first down on a reception from Dominique Blackman (Los Angeles, Calif.).
During the "Coming Out/Backed Up" drill, the goal was for the offense to flip the field from their own 10-yard line at fourth and 10, while the defense worked to keep the offense pinned back. The offense made its way down field on three of the four sets run. During the first set, quarterback DeMarco scooped the ball to running back Desmond Williams (Windsor, N.C.) in traffic to push the offense to a first down. On the second set, the defense pushed Blackman and the offense behind the line of scrimmage, but the following play had a pass to former Los Angles Harbor College teammate Prentice Gill (Los Angeles, Calif.) along the left sideline while avoiding on-coming cornerback Eriq Lewis (Washington, D.C.) giving another victory to the offense. The third set had Rashad Manley (Hampton, Va.) throw a 25-yard pass to Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) despite coverage from newcomers Morant and Lewis to get the first down. The defense won the fourth and final set forcing the offense to punt.
In the redzone drill, the defense was tasked at either forcing a turnover or a field goal, while the offense's mission was to find a way to score points. On third down in the first set run, Blanco ran a corner route right into the endzone. The defense, however, managed stops in the next three sets forcing the PAT/Field Goal unit to take the field.
MONARCH MOMENTSTWO-DAY DAYS:
The ODU Football Monarchs will have their first two-a-day on Saturday, while Sunday the squad will take a break from being out on the turf Sunday.
PRACTICE VIDEO:
If you've already friended Old Dominion Athletics on Facebook, you might have already seen video from today's practice. Click here to watch clips from Friday's practice and don't forget to "friend" us if you haven't already!
BIG BLUE KICK OFF PARTY:
Big Blue Club members...have you signed up yet? Come out and see the Old Dominion University football team in their last scrimmage before the first home game. This is a special opportunity to meet head coach Bobby Wilder and his coaching staff and to be the first to know about the team's plans for the upcoming football season at ODU. Dinner and two (2) drink tickets for the bar included in the price. A cash bar will be available for the duration of the night. All proceeds benefit the ODU football program. For questions or to place an order over the phone, call Kelly Stallings at the Big Blue Club at 757-683-6961.