Blazers Get Reprieve From Heat

VSU prepares for Saturday Scrimmage

VALDOSTA, Ga. - After battling seven days with temperatures approaching triple digits, Valdosta State got a reprieve Thursday as the Blazers held their second Two-a-Day practice of the 2009 preseason.

The Blazers took the field Thursday morning with the temperatures hovering in the high 70s and clouds blocking out the sun that had punished the squad over the course of the first week of practices. The cool weather held through Thursday afternoon's session, as the temperature reached just 83 degrees when the team took the field at 3:00 p.m.

"The cooler weather today was an answer to prayers," said head coach David Dean after the day's sessions. "Its been pretty brutal the last couple of days, which really wears on the players. However, today, we had a little more energy. You could tell the cooler weather helped fuel the enthusiasm some and our guys had a little more pep in their step."

Thursday's morning session featured full pads and ended with a lively 11-on-11 session. Kellen Lewis, competing for the VSU starting quarterback position, and Cedric Jones provided the highlight of the day on the first drive when Jones got behind the Red Swarm coverage and caught a 40-yard pass for a score. With Jimmy Coy attending a mandatory VSU Orientation session, Lewis and junior Russ Callaway split the time at quarterback during the session, with both leading the Blazer offense to scores.

"We are starting to see the guys that we are going to count on step up," Dean continued. "The guys are starting to make the reads, both offensively and defensively, and everyone is doing a great job at displaying the techniques we have taught them over the last week. Each practice our guys have gotten better, which is what a coaching staff wants at this time of the year."

While Dean was happy with the cool weather, he did not discount the benefits of the warm weather of the past several days.

"We have had a couple problems with dehydration and cramps, but we haven't lost many guys, which is a testament to how hard our guys worked over the summer," he concluded. "We had a large group that worked out together through the heat all summer and we are handling the hot weather well as a team. Russ Hoff and the Athletic Training staff have done an outstanding job of taking care of our guys and getting them back on the field when we have had a dehydration or cramping issue. In the long run, fighting through days like that will help us."

Valdosta State holds a single practice on Friday before its final Two-a-Day session on Saturday. The Blazers will practice on Reames Field from 8:00 a.m. till 10:15 a.m. Saturday morning before scrimmaging at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium at 2:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

2009 Valdosta State Football Camp Schedule

Friday, August 14: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Saturday, August 15: 8:00-10:30 a.m.; 2:15-4:45 p.m. (Scrimmage/Stadium)

Sunday, August 16: 5:15-7:45 p.m.

Monday, August 17: 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18: 3:30-5:45 p.m.*

Saturday, August 22: 9:00-Noon (Meet the Blazers/Stadium)

*Regular season practice schedule commences

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