Greenville College Football to Start Spring Practice
Published: April 13, 2021
GREENVILLE, Ill. -- With the snow melting, the rain subsiding (hopefully), and the sun shining (most days), it can only mean one thing, Greenville College Football is starting spring practices. Between March 27 and April 24, there will be 14 practices for the Panthers.Unlike practices in the fall, these will not involve helmets, pads, blocking pads, or sleds. What will be involved are players, coaches, footballs and a ton of sweat and energy. These practices are not the traditional practices with hitting and specific equipment. These practices will focus on other parts of the game where players can hone in on the fundamentals of their position. Quarterbacks and receivers work on their timing while linebackers and safeties perfect their coverage reads.Like everyone else these players and coaches have been cooped up inside all winter and are looking to stretch their legs and escape the confines of the weight room, gym and office. This is also a chance for position battles to occur and for players to prove to the coaches that they have not slacked off in winter workouts. Coaches use this time to evaluate young players and add to the playbook. On both sides of the ball there are starting positions left void from the large senior class graduating, but all the coaches are excited about the core group of guys returning.Head Coach Eric Hehman is entering his fourth spring at GC and has an incredibly optimistic attitude about the spring. When asked about the positives of these practices he said. The best thing about the spring practices is that as a team we get to be together. Being together is important for us as a family and we are excited about our family and opportunities.Offensive PreviewThe offense returns seven starters from a highly productive offensive unit including the conference player of the year, senior quarterback Dominic Kegel. At his disposal Kegel will have a slew of young talent at the skill positions. There is a lack of starting experience at the offensive line positions that the team will address. Linemen without a ton of previous starting experience will be fiercely competing for the starting roles.Offensive Coordinator Joel Penner explains there are three main points of focus for the spring. 1. High Speed, High Execution2. Mental Toughness3. Schematic Expansion I am excited about this group and the opportunity in front of us Penner says, If we are successful in those three things I know we will see the results of our work in the fall.Defensive PreviewOn the defensive side of the ball, coordinator Ordell Walker looks to replace five starters lost to graduation. Specifically there will be some great competition at both the safety and cornerback positions. This is a unit that has prided itsself on confusing blitz packages and superior coverage techniques which will continue to be improved upon this spring.When asked about specific goals for the spring Walker said, With the loss of five starters we're trying to figure out who we are and what new schemes to install, but the bottom line is we are trying to be extraordinary in the ordinary, experts in collisions and play Einstein ball.With the first game to far away to count (163 days) these Panthers will be focused on each individual practice knowing that hard work in the spring leads to success in the fall.
