HUNTINGDON CLOSES PRESEASON WITH SOLID PERFORMANCE IN WEDNESDAY SCRIMMAGE

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Some questions remain, but many more have been answered for the Huntingdon Hawks this preseason.

Huntingdon's two-week training camp came to a close on Wednesday with the team's third scrimmage.

Head coach Mike Turk still sees plenty of areas where his team needs to improve. But he also sees the progress that has been made in 14 days.

"We played with pretty good intensity today and we made some plays on both sides of the ball," Turk said.  "We need to look at film before we make some final decisions, but we saw some good things out there."

The defensive front turned in another solid day. Starters D.J. Chappell, Zach Elkins, Courtney Moss and Brandon VanCamp drew praise, as did newcomers Randy Bethune, Blake Lawley, D'Adrien Lucas and Kyle Howard.

"The starting group up front was consistent and played the way we expected," Turk said. "Those returning players have played a lot of ball for us and they know what is expected of them.  It's good to see the newcomers stepping up too. That's what we're looking for right now."

Offensively, sophomore receiver Tyler Robinson caught Turk's eye with a long touchdown play.

"It's hard to say who did the best until we watch the film. But Robinson stood out because he made some plays in open space. That's hard not to notice," Turk said. "We have a couple of young receivers that are starting to look like they can help us this season. Freshman Tyree Thomas is one. He is proving that he is going to be able to help us out this year. That's huge because we're going to need some of those young guys."

The season starts at Maryville College on Sept. 3. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.

Turk said the next step is to change the focus in practice.

"Now is the time to change gears a little, as far as practice is concerned," Turk said. "Now is the time to start building the team together. You have to come together as an offensive unit and a defensive unit but then you have to come together as a team.

"It's time to start focusing on a different opponent and what it's going to take when we go on the road the first week of the season."