April 9, 2012
MONARCH MEDIA: Practice #8 Update:
BACK INTO DRILLS:
Wide receivers Marquel Thomas and Chris Lovitt were full-go for Monday morning's practice. Both have seen limited time this as they were nursing injuries, however had key catches in helping the offense run an 80-yard two-minute drill at the end of practice.
GETTING THE SCORE:
During the first team period, the Football Monarchs were working on the red zone. The defense had a pair of stops including linebacker Craig Wilkins with a sack. Offensively, Colby Goodwyn, Kirk Spellman, and Nick Mayers all found their way to touchdowns. Angus Harper also had a fumble recovery in the end zone as the offense fought through way through a fourth and goal situation.
THE SUDDEN CHANGE - GOING 80 YARDS:
Head Coach Bobby Wilder pulled a "Sudden Change" on the team and the rest of the staff to end practice. While the offensive and defensive lines thought they were going into one-on-ones and the rest of the team was ready to go into skeleton drills, the Monarchs were pressed into action with the offense set back at their own 20 with two minutes in the game and no timeouts.
Blair Roberts helped to move the chains as the offense was looking at 4th and 5 at its own 45. Marquel Thomas then helped the white shirts move into the defense's territory while Chris Lovitt had two straight receptions to move into the red zone.
With five seconds left to go in the drill and the offense facing 4th down at their own 15, Taylor Heinicke scrambled up the middle and across the end line.
"The reason I put them in those situations is that I want them to be able to react to adversity in a game," said Wilder. "There are turnovers in games. There are momentum changers within a game. For example our defense could be on the bench and getting adjustments from the coaches and we get a turnover on offense or special teams and they've got to come off the bench and play. Conversely, on offense, when our defense gets a turnover, or we run a specialty play and convert, our offense has got to come off right off the bench."
DID YOU WIN?:
Congrats to Henry Arzadon of Virginia Beach, Tim Davern of Chesapeake, Michael Swan of Norfolk and Raymond Stencil and Norfolk, the next batch of winners in the 15 Days of Prizes promotion for renewing season tickets, Henry will be able to run out of the tunnel with the Football Monarchs at an upcoming home game while Tim has won a meet and greet with the ODU Cheer and Dance Teams and Michael is the winner of a personalized scoreboard message. Raymond will have head coach Bobby Wilder personally record his voicemail.
There's still time for you to renew your season tickets and win more great prizes through April 15th. Click here for more information on how you can win.
UP NEXT:
While the Monarchs have another round of practice drills on Wednesday, the Football Monarchs will hold an open scrimmage at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.