GREENVILLE, S.C. -- With one practice remaining in the spring season and a few key performers sidelined with injuries and others available only on a limited basis, the Furman Paladins displayed a lite version of the squad's Purple-White scrimmage on a chilly, overcast Saturday afternoon in Paladin Stadium.
"It was a good, productive practice that allowed us to scrimmage some, but we just weren't going to tackle on the next to last day of spring practice," said head coach Clay Hendrix following the almost two-hour session attended by several hundred high school players as part of Junior Day for Furman's football program.
"We've stayed relatively healthy up to this point, but there's a line you walk to try and get your work done and be physical — which is what we want to be — while also being smart and staying as healthy as you can."
A big focus in the spring has been quarterback, where redshirt freshmen Darren Grainger and Hamp Sisson, are battling to take over the starting reins vacated by the graduation of Harris Roberts. Redshirt sophomore Jack Hardin has also received plenty of work
Grainger got the starting nod in Saturday's limited scrimmage and completed 3-of-7 pass attempts for 32 yards. Sisson connected on 4-of-6 passes for 46 yards, and Hardin hit on all four of his passes for 55 yards, including a 33-yard scoring strike to Thomas Gordon.
"I thought all three of those guys did some good things today," added Hendrix. "That's how it's been all spring. When you have some young guys, you're going to go thru some growing pains. We've had that, but the thing about them is they come and they work. The key for them has to be continuing that throughout the summer. They are completely different guys since the start of practice in August."
Furman's running game, minus five carries by the three quarterbacks, featured five ball carriers. Rising junior Devin Wynn registered only three carries for 11 yards while sophomore Corey Watkins also had three carries for 12 yards, including the only other touchdown of the scrimmage — a 4-yard plunge off left tackle.
Gordon paced all receivers with four catches for 61 yards, and Dejuan Bell had three grabs that covered 34 yards.
The final practice of Furman's spring season is planned for Tuesday morning.
