Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion’s Roar
Spring practice is underway for the Lions football team as they prepare for the 2017 football season. Head Coach Ron Roberts was pleased with what he saw on day four of spring practice.
“The first couple of days, we are just trying to get them to know what they are supposed to do,” said Roberts. “Today the big emphasis was to make sure we are playing it at the level we need to play it at. I was really pleased with practice.”
Junior quarterback Donovan Isom likes the momentum he is building early in the season, and hopes it propels him to where he wants to be.
“I feel way much better and further along than I did last year,” said Isom. “I spent some time in the film room with Coach Barrett. He is helping me get to where I need to be and everything. It is helping me come further along in the playbook than I was last year.”
The Lions finished with a record of 7-4 and went on to win the River Bell Classic in the last game of the season. Roberts is looking to improve from last year and get the team well into championship form.
“The first thing is we got to work at the level to compete for a conference championship,” said Roberts. “We got to work hard enough every day to make sure our effort and our consistency is there.”
The annual spring game is scheduled to happen on Apr. 1, Super Lion Saturday. Roberts expects the results of spring practice to come out in that game.
“We want to see that culmination of everything throughout the spring come together,” said Roberts. “We want them playing the game at the level we need to play at. It will be a huge evaluation day.”
Former Lions D’Shaie Landor and Justin Alo were the two starting quarterbacks for the team last season but now the job is open for competition. Senior Micah Thomas, Isom and sophomore Jacob Williams are currently fighting for the starting position.
“We are in competition right now,” said Roberts. “It will be great if somebody steps up and takes the job before the spring is over with, but we will take it day by day. We are trying to see how many guys are willing to compete and they will get that opportunity to get in that hunt.”
Isom got a few snaps last season, and is hoping to show during these spring practices why he should get the job.
“I think I just need to stay consistent,” said Isom. “I know the playbook very well, so it’s just about staying consistent. Coach Rob appreciates when you come out here, work hard and just stay consistent.”