By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Special teams play has been a major focus for the North Pulaski Falcons during the third week of August football camp. First-year coach Theodis Ingram and his staff now have less than a week to get the team ready for its scrimmage at Hot Springs Lakeside High School this coming Thursday, but the head Falcon is more interested in effort than execution for the benefit game against the Rams.
“I don’t believe you can ever judge a team by a scrimmage game,” Ingram said. “Mainly, you want to see effort and execution, but if the execution is off, that can always be corrected. We’re not sure exactly where we’re at offensively and defensively, and I’m sure we’ll make some mistakes.”
Ingram’s philosophy that strong defense and special teams play can keep a team in any ballgame is starting to take root on the practice field.
The Falcons have gone through a number of special-teams drills throughout the week while still pushing ahead with offense and defense.
“We’re trying to get a system in place,” Ingram said. “I think defense and special teams are most important, and we can help ourselves out if we can eliminate mistakes. We’ve been working to get the right personnel in place, and we feel like that will be a benefit for us in the long run.”
The numbers remain low for North Pulaski at around 35 to 38 players. But everyone has stayed healthy through the first three weeks, a promising sign for Ingram.
“If we can stay healthy, I think the kids can cover it all,” Ingram said. “As long as we don’t have any season-ending injuries or a situation where someone has to sit out 3-4 weeks, based on what I’ve seen us do so far, the kids will be able to make adjustments.”
Although they could be spread somewhat thin in spots, the Falcons will boast an experienced and fleet offensive backfield once they finally take to the field against Searcy on Sept. 2 to start the season. Ingram has been impressed with the efforts of senior running backs Derrick Hart and Willie Frazier. He also said running back Nick Dunn has been steady since the first day of practice.
On the quarterback front, Ingram said a final decision has not been made, but at this point, senior Shyheim Barron has a slight edge on Marvin Davis. Both players will also play a defensive role as safeties.
“He was the starter last year, and at this point, he probably has the most consideration,” Ingram said of Barron. “But he’s also going to be on the other side of the football, so we may start out with two quarterbacks. Marvin Davis played a little quarterback last year. He’s a little raw right now, but we’ve seen a lot of improvement out of him.”
When it comes to specifics, Ingram will have an eye on important fundamentals at Lakeside on Thursday.
“Defensively, we want to play tough and we want to tackle the right way,” he said. “Offensively, we want to sustain blocks and get in position for the right plays. Technique-wise, we’re not quite there yet.”
