FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 28, 2019) – The Northern Arizona football team was back to work on Thursday afternoon with its second practice of the spring football season at the Skydome outdoor practice fields.
The practice marked the Lumberjacks second straight in shorts and helmets and saw the coaches and players focus on individual and positional group drills before working on the inside running game, team blitz schemes, the punting unit and passing game work on both sides of the ball, before wrapping up practice with a 15-minute full team session.
The intensity is expected to pick up at an even higher level beginning with Friday's practice, which will mark the first time that the Lumberjacks will strap on the full pads this spring. Each of the next 11 spring workouts will see the squad in full gear.
Highlights
- Junior Brian Barry was one of Thursday's defensive standouts with three tough pass breakups.
- Junior wide receiver Justis Stokes hauled in a 20-yard catch with a nice diving reception along the sideline.
- On the very next play after his diving grab, Stokes raced down the sideline for a 40-plus yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Case Cookus.
- Senior wide receiver Tommie Dorsey caught a slant pass over the middle and raced to the end zone for a 50-yard score.
- Sophomore safety Anthony Sweeney had a nice pass break up during the team session.
- Senior wide receiver Joey Gatewood also made a pair of nice receptions during the team and passing periods.
- Junior running back Aramis Aldredge posted a big gain on a short pass and ensuing run in the team period.
Quotable
Head Coach Chris Ball
"Today we went to our day-two install, so there were some new things and a few mistakes, but I thought the players came out and did a great job. There is a lot of want to. We just have to do the little things a lot better. We need to start doing the little things the way they need to be done, so we aren't going to move on a whole lot more until we get those little things corrected. I like what I see, there is a lot of effort, good communication and great energy."
"It is nice that we get out of these pajamas and get in some pads to play some real football. We are looking for some physicality. It is a physical game. We want to out-physical people every week. It is a great evaluation. It is amazing how the body language changes and other things when you put the pads on, so we are going to find out who wants to get after it and who doesn't."
Up Next
The Lumberjacks return to the practice field on Friday, March 29 (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) for their third of 15 spring practice sessions and the first of 11 straight in full pads.
All practices are scheduled to be held on the Skydome outdoor practice fields and are open to the public.
