Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
SPRING FOOTBALL BEGINS FRIDAY
(Greensboro, NC) - N.C. A&T, hoping to ease the pain of a disappointing 2001 season (8-3, 5-3 MEAC after being picked to finish first), will take to the field for the first time this spring on Friday.
Head coach Bill Hayes will field possibly one of his youngest teams ever, in terms of playing experience, in 2002. Only eight seniors return, the fewest ever in the Hayes era. However, several underclassmen, including freshmen, gained key experiences due to injuries to veterans in 2001, and a well reviewed recruiting class will be expected to have an immediate impact this season.
The most interesting task will be the offense, as Hayes will attempt to find replacements for All-Americans Maurice Hicks, Quasim Mitchell, and Marcus Bryson.
The defense will be loaded, as usual. Seven starters and five other key players will return. However, the departures of defensive coordinator Wayne Hicks and defensive line coach Terrell Williams will not be easy to overcome.
For six weeks, the Aggies will hold practice, with four weeks of two-a day workouts of five days, and two days of weightlifting. Practice culminates with the annual Spring Game, tentatively scheduled for April 20th, at a location to be announced.
N.C. A&T will open its season against N.C. Central in the Aggie-Eagle Classic, tentatively scheduled in Ericsson Stadium on August 30th at 6:00 PM.
(Greensboro, NC) - N.C. A&T, hoping to ease the pain of a disappointing 2001 season (8-3, 5-3 MEAC after being picked to finish first), will take to the field for the first time this spring on Friday.
Head coach Bill Hayes will field possibly one of his youngest teams ever, in terms of playing experience, in 2002. Only eight seniors return, the fewest ever in the Hayes era. However, several underclassmen, including freshmen, gained key experiences due to injuries to veterans in 2001, and a well reviewed recruiting class will be expected to have an immediate impact this season.
The most interesting task will be the offense, as Hayes will attempt to find replacements for All-Americans Maurice Hicks, Quasim Mitchell, and Marcus Bryson.
The defense will be loaded, as usual. Seven starters and five other key players will return. However, the departures of defensive coordinator Wayne Hicks and defensive line coach Terrell Williams will not be easy to overcome.
For six weeks, the Aggies will hold practice, with four weeks of two-a day workouts of five days, and two days of weightlifting. Practice culminates with the annual Spring Game, tentatively scheduled for April 20th, at a location to be announced.
N.C. A&T will open its season against N.C. Central in the Aggie-Eagle Classic, tentatively scheduled in Ericsson Stadium on August 30th at 6:00 PM.