April 28, 2001

SAU Closes Spring Practice With Blue-Gold Scrimmage

Magnolia, Ark.--Southern Arkansas University held their annual Blue-Gold scrimmage that climaxed the 2001 spring football practice season Saturday at Wilkins Stadium. The scrimmage was staged before a large crowd of spectators that included the player’s parents and families and Mulerider fans in ideal spring weather.

Following the scrimmage at 9:45, ‘Rider head coach Steve Quinn said, “Our offense did not step up early but finished strong. Our defense came on strong from the beginning. I was pleased with the leadership and effort of our upper classmen. On offense, our running backs, Forrest Curry, Rodney Evans, Larnell Sinegal and Scott Schroeder played well. Offensive linemen Trey LaValle, Rory Green, Shane Clancy, Kyle Sanders and Bill Parker did a good job. Ted Williams, despite an injured thumb, executed well at quarterback. On defense, (linebacker) DeVares Campbell and (secondary backs) Brian Davis, Justin Lemon and Jonathon Bradley had good efforts.”

An Awards Ceremony was held at 11:20. Coveted honors went to Michael Christian, Brian Davis, Michael Webb, Bill Parker, DeVares Campbell and Ted Williams.

Christian, a 239-pound sophomore defensive lineman from Hope, won the Weight Room Award; Davis, a 160-pound sophomore defensive back from Longview, Tex., the Hustle Award; Webb, a 230-pound senior defensive end from Fort Smith, and Parker, a 264-pound senior offensive lineman from Mansfield, La., shared the Most Improved Award; Campbell, a 200-pound junior linebacker from Houston, Tex., was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player; and Ted Williams, a 187-pound sophomore quarterback, was the Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Iron Man Awards went to Jordan Babineaux, Ryan Baker, Juan Bedolla, Jason Bennett, Jonathon Bradley, Shane Clancy, Clint Curtis, Mark Daniels, Brian Davis, Torrence Jones, D.J. Keithley, Justin Lemon, Darius Richmond, Joey Robinson, Adrian Ross, Charles Simmons, Larnell Sinegal, Austin Taylor, Michael Webb and Joe Welch.

Iron 'Rider Awards went to Cedrick Brooks, DeVares Campbell, Michael Christian, Eddie Key, Trey LaValle, Marvin Parnell, Tim Rose, Scott Schroeder and Larry Tafoya.

300-Pound Club Awards were given to Baker, Bennett, Biagas, Brooks, Campbell, Christian, Clancy, Bill Coulter, Curtis, Andrekus Dixon, Kris Freeland, Rory Green, Marcus Groves, Chad James, Keithley, LaValle, Bill Parker, Pernell, Kenny Pettway, Robinson, Rose, Ross, Schroeder, Sinegal, Tafoya, Webb, Welch and Chad Williams.

'Rider head coach Steve Quinn commented how the staff feels about spring practice results. He said, "We were very pleased overall with the effort and intensity, which we maintained at a satisfactory level for the greater part of spring. Our returning players did a good job of setting the tone of practice and showing the expectation level that we (the staff) have for our players. Some of our younger players who will be stepping into starting and contributing roles have done a good job of picking up our schemes and have executed the way we expect them to do. Depth at some position’s are still a concern. We felt we accomplished goals we had set for spring practice. However, it is critical we use this as a springboard into fall and not be satisfied with the progress we have made."