APSU Governors Football set for Friday afternoon scrimmage

Austin Peay Sports Information Office

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s football team will scrimmage for the final time in preparation for the 2014 football season, 4:00pm, Friday, at the APSU intramural field.

With the scrimmage Friday and classes starting Monday, it signals an  end to preseason camp as the Governors prepare to open the 2014 seasons, 6:00pm, Saturday, August 30th, against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl.

“We absolutely have been pleased with what we have been able to accomplish so far,” APSU coach Kirby Cannon said. “We have good consistent effort every day.  We have had distractions of multiple practice fields and scrimmage locations, but we have handled that—we have shown up every day with a good attitude to get better.”

“Our older kids have provided solid leadership to our newcomers. The team is definitely progressing.”

Friday afternoon will see the Governors again expected to scrimmage approximately 72 plays—24 per unit—although depth issues on the offensive line and secondary could shorten the plan. The expected extreme heat also could be a factor.

“We want to solidify exact slots or playing time for a few individuals. We have had enough contact to make most of our decisions,” Cannon said. “But a scrimmage atmosphere we want to see how a couple of players respond.”

“We have had a few camp injuries. I think everyone will be back at some point other than Brad (Wilmer, who broke his leg last Saturday in the previous scrimmage). We are still experimenting at some positions and still trying to develop some depth at other positions.”

Offensively, a trio of freshmen—Jared Beard, Wesley Thomas and Malik Boynton—already have worked their way onto the two-deep at wide receiver. The Govs’ starting quarterback position still is being battled between a trio of candidates—all newcomers: Trey Taylor, a junior who transferred to APSU a year ago; Mickey Macius, a freshman who enrolled in the winter and went through spring practice, and Darrien Boone, a redshirt freshman who was a practice squad player for Central Michigan last season before transferring this summer.

“The quarterback position has been become more competitive this week,” Cannon said. “They each bring different skills and mentalities to the position. Ultimately, we have to decide who is out there for the first series (at Memphis).

“We are giving them an opportunity over a period of time to see who the better one is.”

Defensively, freshmen also have emerged on the depth chart in the secondary and the defensive line. In fact, freshman Tyler Schneider, of Hainesport, NJ, is the leading candidate to start at defensive end while Nicholis Matiere-Bey is pushing junior Corey Teague on the other side. Local walk-on Jule Pace had a disruptive first scrimmage as a defensive end.

“We are really picking up things well (on defense),” said Cannon, who has undertaken the defensive coordinator role. “They are understanding the style of defense we want on defense. We are not complicated over there but we have to right.

“We are simple on defense but to make certain calls our kids understand it takes fanatical effort. We are getting some of that.

“We have had some pleasant surprises from guys who have come in and proven to be players right from the start.”