YSU FOOTBALL Heacock satisfied as players begin to hit

Wintry weather has canceled most of the Penguins' spring practices.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State football team got its first real taste of contact Wednesday and coach Jon Heacock liked what he saw.
The Penguins, who have been bottled up by Mother Nature thus far during spring practice, held live scrimmage sessions Wednesday at Stambaugh Stadium.
"It was the first day that we actually did some live blocking and tackling and it looked like the first day we did some blocking and tackling," Heacock said.
"But I think our guys are trying hard and we still have some things to get squared away," he said.
"I'm excited about the way they came out here and were focused on what they had to do, but at the same time we still have a long way to get where we have to go."
The Penguins have had five practices, but one of those was inside Stambaugh's gymnasium on Monday. The weather has canceled three scheduled practices.
"These kids have been through some unpredictable times this spring, coming to practice not knowing it they would be inside or outside or if we were even going to practice, but they've come through it well and have managed to stay focused on what needs to be done," Heacock said.
Hooting postponed: Usually on the first full contact day of spring the Penguins normally hold the "hoot and holler" drill, but Heacock said that because the team's first jersey scrimmage is slated for Friday, he decided not to have the drill this week.
" 'Hoot and Holler' is a real emotional drill that really takes a lot out of these kids, and I didn't want to have that today and then come back with a full jersey scrimmage on Friday," Heacock said.
Heacock said that he hasn't been looking for any individual standouts during the drills.
"We're a long way from seeing things that really please us individually, but we have been pleased with the overall focus of this group," he said.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Marshall has been taking most of the snaps this week. The 6-foot-3, 204-pounder from Detroit has been impressive with his athletic ability and strong arm, but at times made some bad decisions where he was throwing the football.
Academics: Marshall has been running with the first offensive unit this spring while senior Colby Street concentrates on his academics. Street, the only YSU quarterback with any Division I game experience, is practicing only on the weekends this spring.
Junior tailback Josiah Doby, who sat out last season with injuries, appears to be at full strength.
He is among a host of returning running backs that includes the 2001 Gateway Offensive Player of the Year, P.J. Mays; junior Mike Burns, and junior Darius Peterson, who all played last season.
Although not originally scheduled, the Penguins were to practice again today at 3:15 p.m.
"We'll be in full pads, but this will be one of our non-contact practices," he added. "Then Friday around 3 p.m. we'll go at it in the first jersey scrimmage."
The Penguins will take off Saturday and Sunday for the Easter holiday.