By Michael Adams
May 07, 2008 09:28 pm
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The defense was shining Wednesday as the Tigers football team continued spring practice at Tiger Stadium.
The defense racked up several backfield tackles and stops as practice came to an end and the intensity from the first day of spring workouts, which began April 23, seemed to still be alive and well.
“We have had some great competition this spring,” coach Dave Henigan said. “I am very pleased with the competition level, enthusiasm and intensity. We just need to get some guys in the right spots and improve our technique.”
The defense is the only area on the 2008 Tigers with any experience returning.
Leading tackler and All-Golden Circle Newcomer of the Year Cody Evans anchors four returning starters on the defensive unit.
Evans recorded 121 tackles in 2007 and joins Troy McAdams, Tremaigne Dickson and Kevin Harris as the only returning starters on either side of the ball.
Also joining the new faces on the field is new defensive coordinator Blaine Stoops, who was an assistant with the Tigers in 2008.
Stoops took over the defense after Scott Doring took the head coaching job at Blooming Grove.
He said that having the experience is helping his defense shine in spring drills.
“I have seen a lot of positives on the field so far,” Stoops said. “We are running to the ball very well and getting better every day.
“We are putting a lot of pressure on them this spring and trying to simulate a lot of game time situations.”
In 2007, the Tigers defense gave up an average of 320.7 yards and 22.3 points per game.
Henigan said it is typical to have the defense shine in spring practice, but the offense has had some good moments as well.
“We have some good leadership on the defense, but the offense are doing some really good things,” he said. “We are still going to have to continue to get better and improve the little things.”
Offensive coordinator Shawn Purcell said he has changed some things from last year and that fans can expect a more physical running game.
“Our running game is going to be more power oriented,” Purcell said. “We are going to utilize a fullback.”
The Tigers spring game is scheduled for Thursday, May 22.
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