RebelGrove.com - Blue team downs Red, 23-21

April 7, 2007

Dan Woike
Staff Writer

If the quarterback position has been a horserace this spring, Seth Adams stuck his nose out Saturday at the Grove Bowl, leading the Blue Team past the Red Team 23-21.

Adams threw for one touchdown, completing 16-of-20 pass attempts for 159 yards for Art Kehoe's team.

Head coach Ed Orgeron hasn't give many insights into the quarterback situation during the previous 14 spring practices, but even he couldn't resist saying good things about the 6-foot-4 senior.

"I am really pleased with the play of Seth," Orgeron said. "He threw the ball well; he operated the offense really well."

And while the Rebels don't have a starting quarterback, they may have found themselves a clubhouse leader going into summer workouts.

"Seth definitely has a leg up," Orgeron said. "He's made the right decisions, and he's continuing to improve."

Adams led the Blue Team on back-to-back scoring drives to begin the game.

On the game's opening drive, Adams completed his first four passes - finding sophomore Shay Hodge for 17 yards and tight end Robert Hough for 18 yards.

However, the drive slowed inside the 10, and Josh Shene made a 22-yard field goal to give the Blue Team a 3-0 lead.

Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Cornell had three tackles on the first drive, and sophomore corner back Cassius Vaughn deflected a pass in the end zone.

The Red Team tried to go downfield on its first offensive play, with Jevan Snead at quarterback, but the pass feel incomplete. Schaeffer came in to quarterback on second and third down, but the offense managed just one yard.

Adams led the Blue Team on its second scoring drive, finding Hodge on two 15-yard completions, setting up the Blue Team's second score - a 9-yard slant to sophomore Marshay Green.

"We started fast," Adams said. "I felt like we were able to move the ball and control the clock. We did some good things on offense."

Schaeffer showed the explosiveness he brings to the backfield on the Red Team's ensuing possession, breaking free for a 24-yard scramble getting his team inside the 15.

"There was pressure off the end, and I had to step up in the pocket," Schaeffer said. "They were in the Cover 2, and the receiver wasn't open. I just took off and tried to make a play."

Four plays later, Schaeffer found senior wide out Josh Zettergren in the flat for a five-yard touchdown strike. After the successful extra point, the Red Team trailed 10-7.

But the Red defense couldn't keep the Blue Team off the board, as a 6 play, 1 minute, 24 second drive traveled 65 yards. A 32-yard run from sophomore Cordera Eason set up an 8-yard run up the gut from fullback Jason Cook for the score.

"They kind of ran it right at us today, and we've got to get better," defensive coordinator John Thompson said.

The Blue Team failed the extra-point conversion, heading into halftime leading 16-7.

In the half, Adams managed the offense, completing 11-of-15 passes for 112 yards and a score. Hodge caught four of the passes for 56 yards to lead all receivers at the half.

Snead began the second half as the Red Team quarterback and promptly took his squad into the end zone. Snead completed all five of his passes on the drive, finding sophomore Mike Hicks on a 2-yard fade route, getting the Red Team to within 16-14.

But Eason and the Blue Team extended the lead early in the fourth quarter behind more strong running from Eason. Eason carried the ball four times on the drive for 41 yards - including runs of 15 yards, 8 yards and 8 yards to cap the drive.

Eason led all rushers with 105 yards on 12 carries.

"I think I did pretty good," he said. "I give a lot of props to my line because without them, I wouldn't have been able to do anything.

"I ran well."

The Red Team got its ground game going midway through the fourth quarter when a 17-yard run from senior Hiram White. White's run capped a seven play, 60-yard drive with Snead under center and closed the gap to two.

But on the Red Team's last chance, Greg Hardy sacked Snead in the backfield and forced him to cough up the ball.

Thompson's defenses combined for a pair of interception, four forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

"The Blue Team really made a big play right there at the end of the game," Thompson said. "That's what we've got to do. We've set some pretty lofty goals."
But the story wasn't the defense; it was Adams asserting himself with the first unit.

Adams completed passes to six different receivers - finding Hodge and Mike Wallace five times each. Green, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown in special teams' drills, caught three passes.

"Our receivers aren't freshman anymore," Adams said. "They've been great all spring long. I like those guys. They work hard every down.

"They've done well all spring long, worked hard and made plays."

But despite Adam's day, Orgeron's still not ready to hand him the keys to the Rebel offense.

"It's not just between Seth and Brent. It's open to everybody," Orgeron said. " Michael Herrick has stepped up. Cliff Davis is still in it. Obviously Jevan (Snead) would be in it.

"It's an open quarterback competition and we are going to continue to treat it that way."

FEATURED PRODUCT