N.C. Central linebacker Calvin Hillie finally can see the light at the end of tunnel after three weeks of practice, and it is a Thursday night showdown with Johnson C. Smith on Sept. 2. But on Saturday, Hillie and his Eagles teammates were still in practice mode as they put on a show for fans who came our for "Meet the Eagles" day at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
"Obviously, the expectations are high this year," Hillie said. "We want to try and win every game."
Hillie said having a good finish last season when the Eagles won four of their last five will be a good springboard to launch into the new season.
"We've got a good group of guys coming back who gained a lot of experience last year," Hillie said. " We have a load of depth because everybody got their feet wet. The first game is going to be under the lights. It's the first one here since I've been here, so I'm very excited for it."
After the entire team was introduced and there was a half-hour autograph session on the field, the Eagles scrimmaged for about an hour. Most of the action had the first teams on offense and defense going against the second teams.
NCCU coach Mose Rison was happy with the way his team practiced, and he was pleased with the number of fans who came out to watch.
During the Maroon-Gray scrimmage, the Maroon defense held the offense to eight first-downs, a field goal and a only one touchdown on the last of 61 plays.
Hillie and fellow senior Donald Laster each had sacks, while junior defensive back James Reese returned an interception 47 yards. Junior linebackers Eliezer Sandifer and Roger Stewart recorded three tackles apiece.
Junior starting quarterback Michael Johnson saw limited action as he completed 2-of-7 passes for 70 yards. Winston-Salem State transfer Jordan Reid took a majority of the snaps, collecting 176 yards on 8-of-16 passing. Keon Johnson was 3-for-8 with 56 yards passing and 22 yards rushing.
The Gray ground game was paced by senior running back Tony McCord with 52 yards on eight carries, including a 15-yard touchdown scamper. Tim Shankle added 28 yards on three rushes.
Red-shirt freshman Marvin Poole had 84 receiving yards on two catches. Sophomore Phillip Barren hauled in a 50-yard reception, while red-shirt sophomore Geovonie Irvine grabbed two passes for 39 yards.
The Eagles picked up a couple of injuries in the scrimmage as backup defensive lineman Tommy Wallace suffered a shoulder injury, and Alex Johnson was sidelined with a slight concussion. Rison said he expected both players to be back in action in time for the first game.
"I thought we came out pretty good on the injury front," Rison said.
Another player Rison expects to have back is defensive lineman Teryl White, who has not yet participated in practice but has been relegated to conditioning while awaiting medical clearance for his shoulder. Rison said he hopes White will be able to practice Monday.
"We're going to see where he is," Rison said. "We still have about nine days left [before the first game]. He's in shape good enough to play. I don't know if he will start but once he's cleared, he will definitely play."
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