March 31, 2009

Football: Guins Commence Spring Drills With Practice on Crisp Tuesday Morning

    Youngstown – The Youngstown State football team was eager to begin spring practice on a brisk Tuesday morning at Stambaugh Stadium following a disappointing 2008 campaign that has lit a fire under the current squad.

    YSU enthusiastically worked out for two hours in helmets. Leading the way, for the most part, was nine-year Head Coach Jon Heacock. Heacock, who assumed defensive coordinator duties in the offseason, added some fire to the unit and kept the offense on their toes as well.
    A total of 15 seniors are on the roster, the fewest since the 2004 campaign (13). That group will be counted on to lead the Penguins this spring and into the fall.

    More than 80 players participated in Tuesday's workout. For 31, including seniors Draye Ersery, Donald Jones and Crispin Fernandez, it was their first spring workout with the program. It was the first practice for new coaches Benyard Jones, Michael Zordich and Gene Crosby as well.

    The Penguins are practicing in the morning this spring to avoid as many class conflicts as possible. Coach Heacock said the team had 100 percent attendance on the first day and only a few players left a little early to attend 10 o'clock classes.

    YSU is scheduled to return to the practice field on Wednesday and hold workouts on Friday and Saturday mornings as well to close out the first week.