Spring Games gives preview of fall line-up

Texas A&M University-Commerce football fans got their first taste of the upcoming season at the annual Spring Game held at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. With players held out for health concerns, the Lions only had enough players to suit up one offense and defense, who battled each other for most of an hour.

The A&M-Commerce defense, buoyed by the return of standout senior linebacker Cory Whitfield and two sacks from Lions' defensive player of the year Danny Mason, kept the offense moving backwards for most of the game, snatching three quick interceptions and stuffing the Lions' running game.

"Our whole offseason and spring we've focused on playing together and making stops," Mason said. "With Cory Whitfield coming back, we look to dominate in the fall. We have a lot of experience coming back. We were kind of down and out last season with players getting injured, but we're all healthy now."

Whitfield, who missed almost all of last season with a knee injury, looked fully healthy.

"It means everything to me [to be able to play again], because last season I missed out on a good thing, helping young people get right, and I thank God for the ability to play football again," he said.

The Lions' offensive line struggled in particular, with numerous false start penalties. The receiving corps also dropped a number of passes.

"During spring training, we've been doing a great job of catching the ball, of not committing stupid mistakes," quarterback Yogi Gallegos said. "Today was different, and I don't know how to explain it.  The good thing is that we do have confidence coming out of spring training and going into the fall. We have to keep working and it's going to be difficult, but if you're going to win games it's going to be difficult work."

Gallegos, a transfer from TCU, and redshirt junior J.J. Harp both played significant minutes, giving spectators the first live view of their battle for the starting quarterback position; a battle that head coach Guy Morriss has described as "neck and neck." Both quarterbacks looked sharp, with Gallegos outperforming Harp to the tune of 12 completions out of 21 attempts for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. Harp also completed 12 passes for 138 yards and 1 touchdown, but also threw three picks.

"I think it's very important [to have a good showing in training camp]," Gallegos said. "J.J. is a great quarterback, he's a class act and he can throw the football. I knew that coming in. [Who starts] is up to the coaches, and you have to go out there and give it your 100 [percent] and the outcome is the outcome."

The offense had to wait until late in the game for their first score, a dump off from Gallegos to sophomore wide receiver Kenzee Jackson who followed his blockers and scampered in for the score. Junior transfer wide out Tyler Rawlings caught the second and last score of the game from J.J. Harp, one of his three catches on the day. Senior wide receiver Adorian Arthur led the Lions in receiving yards with 93 on seven catches. Sophomore Troy Griffin rushed the ball seven times, but only managed 14 yards against the Lions' stiff defense.

Defensive backs Marcus Fore, Corvellas Cage and Dre Dunbar all had one pick in the game, with Dunbar returning the interception 60 yards. Sophomore defensive tackle Ortavious Simmons also recorded a sack.

The Lions will now look forward to their first game of the season, a trip to Upper Iowa on Sept. 3.