By Henry Apple
GRAVETTE -- The passing game was one of the things Gravette sought to improve during its spring workouts, which concluded Thursday afternoon with its Orange-Black game.
Coach Bill Harrelson saw a step in the right direction when Brady Rolsma caught a short pass from Bryce Moorman and turned it into a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage.
"We have to be able to throw and catch the ball better this year," Harrelson said. "We need to be a bigger threat in that area and be able to spread some teams out, and we still have a ways to go.
"A big advantage is having a returning starter at quarterback, which this is the first time we've had it in about five years. It's nice to have someone who knows the offense and understands what we are doing."
Jackson Soule', who will be a three-year starter on defense, drew praise from Harrelson and will be a player the Lions will count on in offense, as well. Soule' will split time at tailback with Jordan Burnett as they will fill the void left by the graduation of Cedric Duarte.
Nolan Moore (6-foot-2, 348 pounds), a starter on the offensive line last season, saw some time on the defensive line. He will be joined by Willie Robinson (6-4, 321) and Christian Dodge (6-0, 294) and will provide plenty of size in the trenches.
"All three of them will have to play on both sides of the football," Harrelson said. "They won't be out there on every play, but we will need them."
Harrelson said 67 players took part in the spring workouts. Four players suffered injuries during the workouts, but Harrelson said none of them appear to be serious.
Gravette took this week off so players can concentrate on finals, then summer workouts begin June 1.
Working it all out
By Paul Boyd
GENTRY -- Coach Paul Ernest acknowledged spring workouts have been a learning experience last week for him and his players.
"It's good for them to hear my voice and my message," Ernest said. "They can see what I expect from them and get some terminology down."
That's been something his players haven't heard since he was hired in late February, but spent all spring coaching the Nashville softball team.
The Pioneers practiced four days last week and finished with four more this week, taking off Monday for Memorial Day. Ernest drove to Gentry on Sunday, after his Nashville softball team lost in the Class 4A state semifinals on Saturday.
He was able to make only three trips to Gentry during the spring to meet with assistant coaches since he was coaching a spring sport. But the 42-year-old credited his staff with preparing the players well in an unusual situation.
"We are much further along than I anticipated and part of that is because our assistant coaches did a great job of taking control and teaching. I can't tell you how valuable they have been to me."
The Pioneers have four players working at quarterback, including Jake Faulkenberry, who will be a senior in the fall. Faulkenberry was a two-way starter as a junior, playing mainly receiver on offense. He also played a few snaps at quarterback.
Gentry won't finish with a spring scrimmage on Friday, mainly because of a lack of linemen, Ernest said. But they will likely work in some "game-like situations."
Sports on 05/27/2015