By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS – The Fort Hays State football team wrapped up its second week of preseason practice Saturday with its only scheduled scrimmage of camp.
With the season opener approaching, head coach Chris Brown limited the work for his projected starters while giving younger players and the second unit extended reps.
“I thought it went pretty well,” Brown said. “We didn’t give our ones a lot of reps. We’re getting pretty close to game time here, so we’re trying to keep some guys healthy.”
The scrimmage also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate players competing for playing time.
“Our young guys got a lot of reps, our twos got a lot of reps,” Brown said. “Those are the guys that have got to be ready because as the season goes on, something always happens.”
One position group Brown feels particularly good about is running back, where the Tigers have several players competing for carries.
“There’s a lot of guys in that room that can play for us,” Brown said. “They all have different attributes about them that can help our team out. We might play three or four running backs, maybe five as the season goes on or even during a game because they all do things differently.”
The quarterback competition also remains a focal point heading into the final weeks of preseason camp.
Second-year players Kody Guy and Matt McMinn are competing with Iowa State transfer Major Cantrell for the starting job.
“They’re picking it up pretty quick, they’re seeing things pretty well,” Brown said. “Forgetting a few little things here and there, a few minor details that come with experience. You can tell Major probably has a little more experience than the other two right now. His feet are really good and he’s got a very strong arm. I feel he’s probably in the lead right now in front of those guys.”