Shrine Camp: Day 2
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
After two days of practice in preparation for this year's Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, New Hampshire coach Greg Husband has learned at least one thing: He's not lacking versatile athletes.
Husband moved Keene linebacker Jermaine McDay to the defensive line Thursday, and also said it won't be a suprise if Exeter quarterback/defensive back Andrew Kukesh lines up at wide receiver when New Hampshire faces Vermont on Aug. 1.
"Then there's (Milford's) Jeff Agnew," Husband said. "Where do you play him? He's a quarterback. He can run the ball. He's been impressive as a defensive back, and he's got great hands as a receiver."
New Hampshire and Vermont each practiced three times at Kimball Union Academy on Thursday. The teams will have one more day of practice before Saturday's intra-squad scrimmages.
New Hampshire is scheduled to scrimmage at 10 a.m. The format will be up to Husband.
"We'll probably go 20 plays with our first offense and 12 with our second group," Husband said. "Then we'll have a scout team come out and run Vermont's plays.
"I feel pretty comfortable with our progress, but we're nowhere near game-ready. I don't think what you'll see Saturday is what you'll see in this year's game."
Husband said New Hampshire will begin to work on special teams Friday. Merrimack's Kile Stetson is expected to handle the place-kicking duties. Pinkerton's Chris George is among a handful of punters on the New Hampshire roster.
"We haven't focused on special teams yet, but we have some pretty good kick returners too," Husband said.
Contact has been limited to one practice per day, and, according to Husband, there have been no significant injuries.
Each team is scheduled to practice three times Friday, which is also media day.
"Right now we're trying to get ready for that scrimmage," Husband said. "We'll film the scrimmage and take a hard look at all the players. We have a lot of kids who can play a lot of places."
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Shrine fact: Former University of New Hampshire split end Mike Boyle holds the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl record for yards rushing. Boyle, who played at Plymouth Regional High School, ran for 206 yards during New Hampshire's 41-14 victory in 2004.
