JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman football wrapped up its two-week fall camp with a scrimmage Wednesday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium. The first and second strings put up 28 points in 22 minutes of game action.
C-N head football coach Ken Sparks said the Eagles have made plenty of progress in what has been the shortest fall camp of his 34-year career at Mossy Creek, but there's also loads of room for improvement.
"We've had a lot of good things happen and there have been times we've looked like a good football team with kids who are invested in the Lord," Sparks said. "But we've got a long way to go. They're drained with classes and physical workouts in high humidity. I'll make excuses for them, but I want them to understand that anytime you don't give your best, you're brain gives this signal to the body that says it's ok to cut corners. We're not there yet."
The Eagles now turn their attention to Wayne State. The Warriors are picked to finish sixth in the 15-team league and received one vote in the first AFCA coaches' poll of the season. Sparks believes the Eagles need some recovery after the condensed camp.
"We've got to get our legs under us and get fresh physically and polish the things were supposed to do." Sparks said. "We need the Lord to put the heat on us to help us turn that coal into diamonds."
Sparks tabbed quarterback Goose Manning as a player who impressed through camp, as well as freshman on the offensive line, in the secondary and at linebacker.
"We've got a little old quarterback by the name of Goose who's been unbelievable," Sparks said. "I love his fighting heart. Consequently, we'll find ways for him to play. We've got some freshman linemen, defensive backs and linebackers who have also stepped up."
Carson-Newman and Wayne State kickoff at 7 p.m. next Thursday.
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