Huntingdon looking for consistency in kicking game

Head Coach Mike Turk on Day 6 of preseason camp: "We had a quick turnaround from an afternoon practice on Sunday to a morning practice today and we didn't handle it very well. For the first time during preseason camp, I feel like we just came out here and tried to get through it instead of trying to get better. We have to be able to fight through that.

"I'm looking to the older guys to lead the way and make sure they're pushing themselves through it and in turn pulling the younger guys along. It's something every team goes through and it's something every team we've had has gone through at some point during training camp. It's understandable, but it's not acceptable.

"We have to find a way to get back on track and have a good day of practice on Tuesday. Hopefully there will be more energy and we'll come out and try to get better."

Position Spotlight – Special Teams

Projected Starters: PK – Chase Young (Jr.), P – Bryce Bump (Jr.), LS – Jacob Holman (So.) or Jacob Munn (So.)

A Closer Look: The Hawks return two key pieces of the kicking game in placekicker Chase Young and punter Bryce Bump.

Young, a two-time All-Conference selection, has led the USA South Athletic Conference in points scored by a kicker in each of the past two seasons. Entering his junior season, he has made 118-of-125 career extra points and 13-of-18 career field goals.

Young set the Huntingdon and USA South records for extra points made in a season (63) as a freshman. As a sophomore, he became the Hawks' career leader in extra points made and field goals. He needs 19 more extra points to break the conference's career record.

Bump took over as Huntingdon's punter last season and handled the responsibility for the final nine games. He averaged 37.1 yards on 28 punts, with two punts of more than 50 yards and a season-long of 60 yards.

The Hawks do have to replace their holder and long snapper from last season. Bump is expected to step in as the holder on field goals and extra points this season. Sophomores Jacob Holman and Jacob Munn are competing for the starting job at long snapper.

Turk on having experience at placekicker and punter: "It's nice to have our kicker and punter back. Chase earned first-team All-Conference honors last season and really made a lot of improvement from his freshman to his sophomore year. We're hoping for that same kind of continued improvement this year. Bryce started punting for us last season and did a good job for the most part throughout the season. He looks like he is developing some consistency and he looks a little stronger this year. Both of those are good things to see."

Turk on the competition at long snapper: "I feel good about the two guys battling for the job. Both Holman and Munn are very consistent. We just have to settle in on a routine of snap, kick and hold and we're working through the things on our punt team to be as effective as we can. Both of these guys understand how important the snap is and how important it is to place the ball where it is supposed to be."

Next Practice: The Hawks return to the field at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Practices are open to the public.