Photo* by Timothy Rammy
Rams players
practice for the
first time this
season.
(Below)Head Coach
Kienus Boulware takes
the opportunity to cor
rect his players while
they practice special
teams.
Rams
from page Bl
receiver, respectively. On
defense, last year's top
returning tackier Jaitavus
Jackson and defensive back
Kailan Chavis seek to add
senior leadership.
Head Coach Kienus
Boulware, who took over
in 2014, is known for his
ability to coach on the
defensive side of the ball
and has produced the last
three Defensive Players of
the Year in the CIAA.
Before becoming head
coach, he was the defensive
coordinator from 2010
2013. During that span he
transformed WSSU's
defensive unit into one of,
if not the best in the confer
ence.
According to the
WSSU media guide,
Boulware said, "This is a
dream job, and I'm at a
dream school. I'm
extremely happy that this
day has come," upon taking
over as head coach.
During last week's first
week of practice, the play
ers were given a condition
ing test and issued their
equipment. The team had
to get acclimated to the
blistering heat and the
grind of practice after
being off all summer. The
players ran plays, compet
ed in one-on- ones and ran
seven-on-seven drills to
sharpen their skills. The
coaches were focused on
having the young men pay
attention to detail, as one
mental mistake can mean
the difference between a
win and a loss.
WSSU will have a great
shot to repeat as champions
but will have' a tough
schedule. If they can sur
vive a final three game
stretch that includes
Livingstone, Shaw
University and Fayetteville
State the Rams should be
right in the thick of the
CIAA championship race.
MB
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The defenders from West Stokes gang tackles the ball carrier from Reagan.
Photos by Timothy Ramsey
Daryl and DiNina Napper came to cheer on their son Daniel, a middle line
backer for Glenn High School's JV team, during the Jamboree Friday, Aug. 12.
Jamboree
from page ~BT
several good freshmen that
came in this year with a lot'
of talent and we are look
ing . forward to having a
great season.
"I am very pleased with
what we have and what we
did. We have a lot of
skilled players and we have
a hard hitting defense,"
Brown went on to say.
Reagan's JV team first
scrimmaged West Stokes
High. Reagan seemed to
have trouble moving the
football on their first set of
plays but seemed to get
into rhythm once the
defense made its presence
known. On their second set
of offensive plays, they
were able to run and pass
the ball with some regular
ity.
Glenn faced off against
Central Davidson. Their
defense really stepped up
and stifled the Central
Davidson offense. JV
Head Coach Stephen
Herring Jr. was very
pleased with the perform
ance of his team, but knows
he has some wrinkles to
work out.
"I think we got better
and we took a step forward.
There is always things we
can improve on," said
Herring. "We missed a few
alignment and assignment
type stuff, but we definitely
got a little better this first
session and I want to get a
little bit better the next ses
sion."
Herring stated he want
ed to work on the snap
count and where his play
ers were lined up during
the second scrimmage. He
stated that he knows that
they are a young football
team but the mistakes they
made are correctable. He
said they are looking to just
have the guys play with
heart and fire off the ball.
The stands were packed
with family, friends and
classmates of the players.
Daryl and DiNina Napper,
parents of Daniel Napper,
who plays middle line
backer. for the Glenn High
JV team have already
watched two sons go
through high school and on
to the collegiate level.
They were happy with their
son's, and the team's, per
formance overall.
"I saw a lot of team
building activity out there
and guys working togeth
er," Mr. Napper said.
"They are just young and I
think they performed well
offensively and defensively
with the scheme that they
have. If they perfect the
scheme, they will be all
right."
Mrs. Napper added she
was very proud of her son
and looks forward to the
team playing well this year.
Howard
from page B1
platform to understand they can take anything they have
learned from basketball and apply it to their everyday
life. That's my biggest life lesson I want them to carry on
after they leave my program," Howard continued.
Last week, PRJ held an open gym for area players to
come out and showcase their talent in front of Howard.
More than 25 players came out to play during the ses
sions. Howard was not able to coach or be involved with
the open gym, as coaches are not allowed to interact with
players this early on in the year. He was able to sit and
observe the talented young men looking to be a part of
his team going forward.
Just seeing these kids get out there and give it their
all is awesome," said Howard "I wanted them to know
they don't have to impress me. I don't want them to
impress Josh Howard; I want them to impress coach."
With Howard being a household name here in the
Triad, he should have the upper hand in recruiting play
ers who have been overlooked by the Division I pro
grams. Being finom the area, he can relate to many play
ers who come from different walks of life.
Howard says be eagerly awaits the day he can offi
cially step out on the court as the PIU head coach. He
says k may be an emotional moment for him.
"It's going to be overwhelming, and I hope I don't get
overly emotional. I already have moments where I think
to myself is this really happening?'"
nU (Haysfts first exhibition game of the year on Nov.
4 at 7 p.m at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial
Coliseum against Wake Forest Howard says that the
game was already scheduled before he became coach,
and he looks forward to the challenge of playing his far
mer team. He says this will give him a great chance to
evaluate his team and what they need to improve upon.
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Two players fight for possession of the basketball dunng the open gym Tuesday, Aug. 9.
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