YSU players and coaches ready for first scrimmage

By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock feels his team is getting better, and he wishes his offensive linemen could stay out of the trainer's room, but he feels everybody is ready for the spring's first jersey scrimmage.
That scrimmage will take place Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium, and the YSU offense will be trying to hold onto the red practice jerseys they captured last fall.
"I think that we are making progress," Heacock said. "I wish we had more healthy bodies on the offensive line.
"The kids are handling things very well, the competition on the field is great. They are working hard plus they are studying films and learning every day," he added.
"We've also kept them pretty busy on their off days as they've been involved in our off-campus programs, where we've been visiting schools and hospitals throughout the Valley and they've handled everything very well," Heacock said.
Line weakened
But with all the injuries. is Heacock concerned about going into the team's first full-scaled scrimmage session Friday with a very thin offensive line?
"Naturally you're concerned and we'll monitor things pretty closely out there, but jersey scrimmages are a necessity," he said.
"Injuries are part of the game of football. You hope they don't happen, but they do and you have to go on with the people that you have left," he added.
"There are things that are not necessary, like our 'hoot 'n holler' drill, and we probably won't hold that this spring, but scrimmages are part of the game and they are needed to develop this football team," Heacock said.
Areas of focus
Just what will Heacock and his staff be looking for in Friday's scrimmage session?
"Defensively there is a lot of new terminology going on with the unit. Basically it's the same stuff, but there are some new calls and names back there and we'll be looking to see how that is handled out there," he said.
"Offensively we are also putting in some new stuff this year, and it will be interesting to see how it's handled," he added.
"You're going to see the offense throwing some new things at the defense, while the defense will be using some new stuff that the offense hasn't seen this year, so it should make for an interesting scrimmage," Heacock said.
"And then basically we'll be looking for the fundamental things -- are they lining up right, are they making tackles, are the backs hitting the right holes, receivers running the right routes, and those things that need to be evaluated each and every day."
New coaches
Heacock is also very pleased with his three new coaching additions. They are co-defensive coordinators Dana Chambers (defensive line) and Mike Kolakowski (defensive secondary) and Dave Elliott (wide receivers).
"They are all veteran coaches and they are doing a great job," Heacock said. "They are the type of coaches you don't have to tell them what to do, they know. I was impressed when they first walked onto the field. The first thing they were working on was basic fundamentals, stance and alignment."
The Penguins held a light workout Wednesday, taking things easy before Friday's scrimmage.
One minor injury came in a passing session as junior wide receiver Chris Goffer suffered a bruised knee after making a sensational catch. Somebody stepped on his knee, but although he might miss Friday's scrimmage, he will be back shortly.
Sophomore tackle Pat Walker, who suffered a mild concussion on Monday, will miss Friday's scrimmage, but is expected to be back in action next week.
mollica@vindy.com