February 15, 2016

Eagles open 2016 spring practice in sleet and rain

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – In less than ideal conditions, Carson-Newman football opened the lid on its 2016 spring practice sessions Monday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium.

Most players saw the field in hoodie and sweatpants to go along with their orange helmets as the entirety of the Eagles' first "spring" session took place in sleet and rain.

Observing much of the Eagles' opening session from an orange and blue golf cart, head coach Ken Sparks looks toward his 37^th season at Mossy Creek hoping that Eagles can work on three points in the spring.

"You always look for the fundamentals, we've got to get better at blocking and tackling," Sparks said. "Then you want to find the right 22, and get everyone playing the position they should be. Finally, the third thing I want to accomplish is to also be building the team, and to always be working toward that goal. It starts with blocking and tackling, but we'll have a deeper learning curve because we're installing a new defense and we've got new eyes and language in places in offense."

The big hole on the depth chart is quarterback where the Eagles lose three-year starter and two-time first team All-South Atlantic Conference selection De'Andre Thomas to graduation.

Noah Suber (Asheville, N.C.) saw a fair amount of action in his junior year, completing 11-of-19 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed 35 times for 162 yards and four scores. He had his first career 100-yard game and led the Eagles in rushing against Brevard.

Sparks said the spring is the time for Suber to secure his starting spot and be a senior leader.

"It's always a concern, the quarterback is one of the 22 that we want to get ironed out and it may be the most important of the 22 positions," Sparks said. "We want Noah to get lots of reps, and we don't have much choice because we've only got three quarterbacks right now. We want him to have opportunities to run the team. It's early, and I've been able to watch him a bit today, but he's really doing a nice job."

Freshman Tyson Herron (Bogart, Ga.) and sophomore Tanner Cox (Gatlinburg, Tenn.) are the others vying for the starting role.

The Eagles will also be looking to add to their receiving corps, where they lose starters TraShaun Ward and Steven Isom; offensive line, where Rimington Award-winning center Derek Evans and all-conference tackle Tyler Scott graduate; and running back, where the Eagles lose Harlon Hill finalist Damian Baker to graduation.

"We've got a lot of people who aren't getting reps that we'd like to be getting reps (because of injuries)," Spark said. "The worst thing in the world is to go through spring practice and some guys who you think can play, don't get reps because they're hurt. On the flip of that, it gives some guys the chance to make a move up the depth chart. If there's a time to make a move, this is the time."

The Eagles have 15 practice sessions leading up to their annual spring game Saturday, March 15.

"We've got a lot of learning to do, but there seems to be great willingness to learn," Sparks said. "If you've got that, you'll be ok, because we've got great coaches, and we've got great kids."

-CN-