Position battles setting the tone in Huntingdon backfield

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team wrapped up the fifth day of preseason practice on Friday and will hold the first preseason scrimmage on Saturday.

The Hawks will begin practice at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and will hold a short scrimmage for the returning players beginning a little after 10. The newcomers will scrimmage Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Head coach Mike Turk said he saw some good and some bad during the first practice in full pads on Friday and expects to find out more about his team on Saturday.

"Everyone looks good the first few days of practice. After you put the pads on and start hitting, that's when you start to find out a little more," Turk said. "We had some guys step up and do some good things today and we had some guys that we expect to see better performances from as we move forward."

Entering preseason practice, the Hawks knew there were big holes to fill at running back (Huntingdon's career rushing leader and 28-game starter Trevor Manuel) and H-Back (three-year players Cody Dykes and Tyler Hall). Turk is encouraged by what he has seen at both positions.

Seniors Garrett Fletcher and Austin Bennett are the frontrunners at running back.

"Both of the guys we have, Fletcher and Bennett, are experienced guys that have been around here and know the offense," Turk said. "The biggest thing we need them to realize is we don't need them to try and be Trevor. We just need them to be themselves.

"Both of them seem to understand that. They're running the ball hard, know their blitz responsibilities and are good pass protectors. They just need to make sure they're taking care of their responsibilities and playing within themselves."

Among the newcomers, Turk said freshman John Iwaniec has done some good things early.

"As far as the young guys go, he's probably ahead in knowing what to do and being pretty good with the ball in his hand," Turk said. "He's made some plays that make you notice him."

At H-Back, Turk said Jonathan Williams, Darius Dawsey and Heath McCray are battling for playing time.

"Basically we have a three-man battle right now," Turk said. "Jonathan has been around longer and has a little more experience and the other two are learning the position. But they're all being physical and catching the ball when it's thrown their way.

"That's encouraging because we lost two pretty good players. When you lose two guys like Dykes and Hall, there's always the concern about a drop-off in production. But I have been pleased with the way these guys are coming along."