Troy University Athletics
Practice Report #11: August 15
8/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Trojans Cap Final Two-A-Day With Watermelons
TROY, Ala. - The Troy Trojans concluded their final day of two-a-day practice with the traditional watermelon cutting after practice.
The Trojans continued to work towards their scrimmage on Saturday, but have also begun to look toward their first opponent, Alabama State.
"We're still trying to get our guys right," head coach Larry Blakeney said, "but we've also done a little bit of scout team stuff. Next week is when we'll really starting working on it."
Blakeney also pointed out what the main emphasis of this Saturday's scrimmage will be.
"We want to get everyone some snaps," he said. "We still want to see some young guys step up."
Trojan Look to Replace Starters in Secondary: Replacing graduated starting corner backs Adrian Ghent and Johnny Faulk is no small task, but couple that with the probable medical redshirt of starting free safety Sherrod Martin and the Trojans have quite a task ahead of them.
Despite the injury and the loss of two seniors, Blakeney thinks this years' group could be special.
"They've got a chance to be good against both the run and the pass," Blakeney said.
Co-Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Rowell, who coaches the corners, is happy with how things are turning out.
"Brannon Condren is doing a very good job for us," Rowell said.
Condren (Pensacola, Fla.) returns as a starter for the Trojans at free safety for his senior season.
Battling to replace the injured Martin are sophomore Tavares Williams (Gainesville, Fla.) and senior Derick Pendergrass (Manning, SC).
"I couldn't ask for more from them, they're learning and performing," Rowell said.
The top three corners for Troy will be junior Leodis McKelvin (Waycross, Ga.), junior Elbert Mack (Wichita, Kan.) and sophomore Henry Chubb (Waycross, Ga.). In Rowell's words, all three are "doing very good."
Rowell also expects freshmen Justin Bray (Columbus, Ga.) and Chris Bowens (Columbus, Ga.) to contribute this fall.
Practice Notes: James Gardner was walking on his injured ankle, and he is expected back in time for the season opener … Xavier Walker learned he will not need arthroscopic knee surgery, he will rehab in hopes of a return … Smokey Hampton was back at practice after leaving on Tuesday with an injury.
Away Game Tickets Still Available: There are only two weeks left to buy tickets for Troy's visit to Doak Campbell Stadium for their match-up with Florida State. To order tickets for the Troy-FSU game, or any of the Trojans away contests, contact the ticket office at 800-878-9467 (670-3681 locally) or visit TroyTrojans.com.
Upcoming Practice Schedule:
August 17: 2:45 p.m.
August 18: 2:45 p.m.
August 19: 2 p.m. Scrimmage
August 20: Off
August 21: 6:30 p.m.
August 22: 2:45 p.m.
August 23: 2:45 p.m.
