College football: Catawba Indians stayed healthy, made progress – Salisbury Post
By Mike London
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SALISBURY — Spring is usually the thinnest time of the 12 months for a Division II football method, with last fall’s seniors relegated to cheering obligations and the most recent batch of recruits nevertheless attending their significant faculty proms.
The display must go on, but with out adequate figures of linemen on the roster to phase an all-out “Spring Activity,” Catawba concluded spring drills on a chilly Saturday with “mostly situational things,” as head coach Curtis Walker put it.
“It was much more of a spring observe or spring scrimmage than a spring video game,” mentioned Walker, who guided the Indians to a 5-4 report very last tumble. “We bought a large amount of great operate in and we we have been able to do it in a very aggressive atmosphere. But we had to be intelligent about what we did with the range of lineman we had accessible. The great information is we have been in a position to remain wholesome.”
Saturday’s situational motion on Kirkland Discipline at Shuford Stadium began with Catawba performing on opening-travel eventualities.
The Indians staged many rounds of normal offense vs. defense scrimmaging.
They labored on crimson-zone circumstances, a power for final season’s defense.
They worked on two-minute drills.
Catawba’s ideal player quite a few moments very last season was excellent punter/kicker Clayton Crile. There was some issue that he could possibly up to a Division I application, but he is having fun with his time at Catawba. Crile displayed his prodigious footwork on Saturday, and with the wind driving him, boomed a field target from file-breaking length.
The quarterback placement is usually paramount, and Catawba will have a new just one. Walker was impressed this spring with Preston Brown, who transferred from the Charlotte 49ers.
Brown lacks excellent peak, but he’s mobile and strong.
“He’s match, he’s place jointly, and when he may not be the tallest, he’ll have one of the biggest arms in our conference,” Walker mentioned. “He bought most of the reps this spring and held his own. He’s received an prospect right here, and he realizes that, but he did not consider everything for granted. He showed he can make the throws and he showed that he will stand in the pocket and supply the ball.”
While Brown will be the frontrunner likely into the slide, a ton of QB opposition is on the way. That incorporates Kam Hill, a touted recruit from Reagan Large, as properly as 3 extra transfers. The quarterback place for new QB mentor Jake Medlock, vacant not far too prolonged back, will be total.
Heart Cameron Ivey-Younger is the chief of the offensive line. That didn’t improve this spring. Young guys Kanyon James (6-3, 290) and Zach Brown (6-2, 270) produced major strides.
“Brown had a amazing initially week, just arrived out on hearth, and was definitely relocating people all around,” Walker said. “James got in perform at guard and deal with and has the skill established to participate in both position. He seemed fantastic.”
Managing backs Jyrea Martin and Daniel Parker received banged up very last slide, but both are a lot healthier now.
“They acquired the rugged yards all spring,” Walker explained.
Leroy Bracey Jr. is a different name to know as far as the backs. He has moved from slot receiver to functioning back and has match-shifting velocity. He broke runs of 30 and 40 yards on Saturday.
“Not huge, but lightning-quick,” Walker reported.
Catawba is deep at restricted end. Kobe Christian stood out this spring
So did receivers Jaden Lockhart and Willie “Pooh” Brantley.
“Those two observed a groove and emerged as playmakers,” Walker explained. “They have pace and they created athletic catches.”
Brantley had a 48-garden touchdown capture on Saturday.
It could be a stout obtaining corps, as Kujuan Pryor returns and currently has verified he’s a enormous danger. Sprinter Rasheed Singleton designed some spring strides.
“Pryor had a extended operate on a reverse Saturday as effectively as a huge third-down capture,” Walker claimed. “Singleton can get down the area and has commenced to stretch his wings some.”
The protection experienced its times during spring drills and once again on Saturday.
Mike Jones, a however-growing, younger defensive lineman, turned in various sacks and tackles for decline on Saturday, although Semaj Johnson is thriving after a transfer from defensive close to a lot more of an interior role.
Former East Rowan standout Christian Bennett stood out all spring at linebacker.
“He’s a veteran now and he’s grow to be a leader of that team,” Walker explained. “His experience is starting off to show. He produced a good deal of plays on Saturday.”
Bryan Stewart, a youngster from Concord’s Robinson Substantial, confirmed he is as an thrilling prospect in the defensive backfield.
Calvin “CJ” Stephens, a veteran DB who came to Catawba from Chowan, manufactured one particular of the plays of the working day on Saturday when he picked off one of Brown’s passes for the duration of a two-minute drill.
The Indians bought their perform in, they stayed healthier, and they will welcome a quantity of prize recruits this summer months.
Walker is certain the team is on the upswing.
Walker’s more youthful son, Deuce, ran a hand-timed sub-11 100 meters in a modern fulfill and is accomplishing very good issues for the Salisbury Higher observe and subject crew.
Walker’s more mature son, Jalon, a single of the nation’s celebrated linebacker recruits in 2021, graduated from Salisbury at the near of the fall semester, is enrolled at the University of Ga and will just take part in the annual Pink-Black Spring Match sport amongst the hedges at Sanford Stadium.
He’s made a large amount of excitement in spring drills in Athens with his uncommon mix of dimensions, pace and soccer IQ.
That activity is set for Saturday, April 16.
“From Salisbury Substantial to the nationwide champs,” Mentor Walker reported. “It’s likely to be exciting to see Jalon stay from the major boys for the initially time.”