Questions abound as Bob Jones opens spring football practice
Bob Jones Head Football Coach Kevin Rose takes the team through spring drills
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- Spring football means the end of the school year is nearly here. But first, Bob Jones will practice two weeks and play a spring game before school lets out for the summer. Spring practice started Monday.
“I’ve been pleased so far. We had a really good first day in pads,” said Bob Jones head football coach Kevin Rose. “The kids are working hard, good attitudes, and excited to be back out here.”
Rose must fill gaps created by the loss of 35 seniors to graduation.
“We’ve got to find some offensive linemen,” Rose said. “We graduated three offensive linemen that were really good players so that is our first and most immediate need.”
All eyes will also be on a wide open quarterback race. Tyler Whalen is the only quarterback returning with any experience and he missed most of last season with a shoulder injury suffered in the second game. Officially, he threw one pass all season.
Joining Whalen in the quarterback race is Mike Bernier who was the punter last season. Sophomore Jeremy Frye is also in the mix.
“We’ve got to find a quarterback. We’ve got four that are working hard and we’re trying to get to where all of them can go in and run the offense and give us a chance to win,” Rose said of the quarterbacks.
“We’ve got to make decisions at a number of different positions.”
Rose returns a strong running game led by Jay Rogers who rushed for 1,091 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“It’s going to be a big spring for us,” Rogers said. “We got a lot of new faces on offense. The defense has a lot of players coming back so I think it is going to be real competitive. I’ve been working in the off-season to get better. I want to be a leader on the team.”
Bob Jones will be dependent on Rogers because gone will be the explosive plays provided by Kevin Wright who rushed for over 800 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Rose will have to replace the team’s two leading receivers. Wright led the team in receiving with 51 catches and seven touchdowns. Ben Washington had 30 catches.
“We use spring as an opportunity to look at a lot of different kids and find some that we think can contribute in the regular season,” Rose said. “We may give some kids a look that we wouldn’t in a regular season game situation.”
Bob Jones quarterbacks go through passing drills
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
“Offensively we are going to try to go to an even faster pace system of calling plays and getting additional snaps per game,” Rose said.
Rose said several college coaches have been in this week evaluating some players.
“If you want to play college football, we’ve had a Division 1 coach here every day at spring practice so there is your opportunity.”
Last season’s 8-4 record means Rose has passed Frank Sadler as the school’s all time winningest football coach. His four year career record is 41-15 and 28-2 in area games. His four playoff wins are also a school career best.
Bob Jones will host a spring game against Hewitt-Trussville at Madison City Schools on May 10, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
