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Aug. 28, 2010
By Alex Podlogar - FAYETTEVILLE, NC ¬- It's hard to tell who had the better day. Warren Johnson, Robert Benjamin, Austin Turner - or Fayetteville State Head Coach Kenny Phillips. The defending CIAA champion Fayetteville State Broncos took to the field with their annual 2010 Blue and White Game on Saturday evening, running a 90-minute intra-squad scrimmage following the festivities of a 90-minute "Meet The Broncos" outing to kick off the 2010 season in front of scores of FSU faithful. There was a lot to like, with Johnson (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, including the opening kickoff for the scrimmage, which went for 95 yards. Quarterback Benjamin (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) was another standout, effectively running the first team offense that included spurts by the team's leading rusher in 2009, Richard Medlin (Sr., Raleigh, NC). There was also returning placekicker Turner (Jr., San Diego, CA), who booted a 48-yard field goal among the four field goals he connected on. Overall, Phillips said he was pleased with the performance of the Broncos a week before they open the 2010 season at N.C. Pembroke in the Two Rivers Classic on Sept. 4. "I think we're on course," he said. "I think we're a little bit behind defensively compared to where we are offensively, but we're pretty decent offensively and I thought our special teams performed very well today. And anytime at this time of the season you can feel good about your special teams, you're ahead of the game. That's one of the areas that usually fall short when you're starting the season."
As good as the Broncos looked at times, though, the scrimmage wasn't necessarily about who scored and when, or how. This was about getting the team on one page in a variety of areas before the first game of the season. "The biggest thing you're looking for is timing," Phillips said. "You want to make sure everybody is on the same page and try to simulate what it's going to be like game situation-wise. "We're working on getting plays in the game, working on getting personnel in and out of the game - that's basically what you're looking for, to make sure the guys are listening to the coaches for what they're calling. It's basically sideline organization that you're looking for." But there were definitely highlights. Benjamin was especially effective, going through his progressions, reading the defense and making the right throws. He showed poise in the pocket and a deft touch. "I tell you what, he's a special one to have," Phillips said of his quarterback. "He's got a very good football IQ. He gives us some leadership at that position that we haven't had in a long time." Medlin is one of the faces of the program, and though he didn't get a lot of touches in the scrimmage, that was by design. And no worries - Medlin looked ready for next week's opener. "I thought (Medlin) ran the ball very well," Phillips said. "We didn't run him as much, but we didn't want to risk somebody rolling on him. I thought he ran the ball real well and I thought the offensive line blocked real well. All that said, Phillips and the Broncos know everything is for real next week at Pembroke. "They won't be blowing the whistle early in the next game," he said." |
