Army quarterbacks were on display in the team’s first preseason scrimmage Saturday.
From senior Dewayne Coleman to a quartet of freshmen, each Black Knights’ signal caller had their chances to impress.
One promising quarterback’s day was cut short by injury.
Sophomore Ethan Washington was banged up on his sixth play of the scrimmage. Washington was running the ball and fell to the turf without contact. He needed assistance off the field. The extent of Washington’s injury was uncertain immediately after the scrimmage.
“We’ll see,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “I don’t know. I haven’t got the report back from Jacqui (McCann, Army’s head trainer) yet.”
Washington, who was competing for the starting quarterback spot with Coleman and junior Cale Hellums, threw a 38-yard completion to senior slotback Noah Short on his first play from scrimmage.
Coleman took the offense’s opening snaps followed by Hellums. Freshman Bryson Luter was next in a scripted series before Washington entered.
If Washington is out for any period of time, Hellums, senior Zach Mundell and freshman Bryson Luter would likely see additional practice snaps.
The scrimmage was conducted in full pads but contact was limited among the first-team offense and first-team defense. Freshmen offensive players were matched freshmen defensive players for the most part.
Some highlights/observations: Several returning or projected starters were held out of the scrimmage. Freshman inside linebacker Bryson Banks continued to run with Army’s veteran players.
The first-team offense looked like QB Coleman, FB Hayden Reed, SB Noah Short, SB Samari Howard, WR Liam Fortner, TE Parker Poloskey, LT Henry Appleton, LG Lane Parks, C Brady Small, RG Paolo Gennarelli, RT Teddy Williams
The first-team defense looked like DE Deshontez Gray, NT Matt Gemma, DE Jack Bousum, EDGE Eric Ford, Apache Gavin Shields, ILB Kalib Fortner, ILB Andon Thomas, CB Jaxon Hammond, CB Rob Houston, S Collin Matteson, S Steve Nnadozie
Mundell, who showed a quick burst of speed, scored on a 29-yard TD run down the sideline after securing a high snap. Kurt Thompson caught a short pass in a tight window from Dewayne Coleman as one defensive player said, “How did he catch that?” Linebacker Jake Lindsey picked off a deflected pass from Hellums. Hellums connected with Brady Anderson on sideline completion where Anderson did a nice job of keeping first foot in bounds. Bryson Hosea made a 39-yard field goal. Luter looked comfortable running the offense and completed a short pass to freshman Tucker James. Freshman QB Godspower Nwawuihe threw a 19-yard TD pass to classmate Jakiel Kendricks. Direct admits QB Blake Owen and WR Mason Smith hooked up on a 38-yard TD pass. Owen, who is listed at 231 pounds, wears 13, Bryson Daily’s former number. Owen’s tough, physical running style reminds me a little of Daily.
GETTING TO KNOW: Caught up with first-year B-backs coach Chandler Burks, Kennesaw State’s first-ever scholarship player. Burks enjoyed a record-setting career for the Owls under Cody Worley, his former quarterbacks coach and now Army offensive coordinator.
