By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS – The Fort Hays State football team closed out preseason camp Saturday morning with their only scheduled scrimmage at Lewis Field.
The scrimmage, which included MIAA officials, was a success according to head coach Chris Brown.
“The physicality was there today." Brown said. “Through camp, I didn't think we were physical, not where I quite wanted, but today, I really thought that physicality came through, you know, across the board, offensively and defensively.”
FHSU returns the majority of their starters on the defensive side of the ball and Brown thought that showed Saturday.
“I'm pretty pleased, defense did really well today, but you know, we've seen our offense for two weeks now and that really makes it tough on our offense.” Brown said. “They didn't give us all the looks that we were expecting to try to keep it pretty simple and just let us guys line up and play, but overall, I thought we did really well. I thought we got some really good talent out here, and I thought we played some really good speed today.”
One of those returning defensive starters is defensive end Myles Menges who, thanks to COVID, is in his sixth season with the Tigers.
“This is the best overall team chemistry we’ve ever had throughout the camp.” Menges said. “I would say we got after it this year and this is probably one of the most physical units we’ve had at this point of camp.”
Jack Dawson is the Tigers returning starting quarterback and felt the defense had the upper hand.
“Our defense, they’re really solid.” Dawson said. “We practice against them every single day and it’s hard for us. With our new offensive coordinator (Matt Ross) we’re still figuring things out. You can kind of see through the first few days of camp we’re having success and when the bullets start firing, we can’t fold.”
With the start of classes Monday, the Tigers shift to afternoon practices. They open the season on Thursday, August 29 at home against Angelo State.