4/12/2003 - Football
Navy Football Team Conducts Second Spring Scrimmage
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Navy head football coach Paul Johnson put the Mids through its second spring scrimmage on Saturday morning at Rip Miller field and saw good and bad things on both sides of the ball.
"There were some good and some bad out there today," said Johnson. "We tried to throw the ball around a little more today and I thought at times we did OK with that. We have to take better care of the ball. It was a problem last year and it has doubled in the spring partly because Craig (Candeto) hasn't scrimmaged, but that's no excuse. Those young guys have to take care of the ball. Aaron (Polanco) had the ball out a ton today."
Polanco, despite the fumbles, did look good throwing the ball. The sophomore from Wimberley, Texas, completed 18 of his 31 pass attempts for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
"I think Aaron did some good things throwing the ball," said Johnson. "I was impressed with him in the passing game, he made some good decisions and did some good things. It's not like he's played a lot. He's only going to be a junior and at most places he would be a redshirt sophomore next year. I think he can do some good things, he throws the ball well."
Polanco's favorite targets were classmates Lionel Wesley and Amir Jenkins. Both players made impressive catches, with Wesley catching a team-high five passes for 65 yards, while Jenkins grabbed four passes for 87 yards. Polanco's touchdown passes were a 20-yard strike to Cory Dryden and a seven-yard toss to Sam Mathews.
On the ground, freshman Marvin Dingle led the way with 81 yards on 17 carries, while classmate Mathews was impressive with his 75 yards on seven carries. Tony Lane rushed for 52 yards on four carries, while Ryan Barry rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
"I think we have some depth at slot back," said Johnson. "Tony (Lane) and Eric (Roberts) played a lot last year and do a lot of good things, but Divis (Frank) is a big guy that can run, Sam Mathews plays hard, Weedo (Aaron) has some ability, Bronston Carroll is a good blocker, they all bring something to the table. Plus we have a couple of good ones coming in next year."
Defensively, the Mids came up with nine turnovers for the second week in a row, this time all on fumble recoveries. Eli Sanders picked up a fumble and ran 70 yards for a touchdown to go along with nine tackles, while Lane Jackson recovered two fumbles and recorded10 tackles. Four of his 10 tackles were behind the line of scrimmage and one was a sack.
Other top defensive players included Shalimar Brazier (10 tackles), Wayne Irons (11 tackles and a forced fumble), Jeremy Chase (eight tackles and two tackles for a loss) and Bobby McClarin (eight tackles and two tackles for a loss).
"It's pretty hard to get excited when you play against yourself," said Johnson. "When the offense moves it you worry about the defense and when they don't move it you worry about the offense. Both sides did some good things."
