April 2, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- On Saturday, the Wildcats geared-up in full pads for the first time since Nov. 27, and filled Trienens Hall with excited intensity. While the practice consisted of full-team and 6-on-7 drills, individual competitions boosted morale between squads.
The "board drill" -- which pits one offensive and one defensive player against each other with a flat 12-foot wooden board beneath them -- was the highlighted individual showdown. The first player who pushes the other to the end of the board wins. After a warm-up round, 10 players matched up against each other for a best-of-five series.
Barry Cofield (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) defeated Ryan Keenan (Westlake, Ohio/Saint Edward) in the first bout. The offense won the next two showdowns, as Erryn Cobb (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove North) bested Adam Kadela (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) and Dylan Thiry (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) edged David Ngene (Humble, Texas/Humble). In a marathon battle, Bryan Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch) outlasted Brandon Horn (Farmington, Mich./Detroit County Day) to lock the score at 2-2. That produced the most heated match up of the contest, with Trevor Schultz (Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek) defeating Trevor Rees (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) to give the defense a 3-2 victory.
The offense stormed back in the next individual drill, winning four out of five one-on-one showdowns, which pitted a wide receiver and a defender. Marquice Cole (Hazel Crest, Ill./Hillcrest) earned the defense's only win of the drill.
Practice Notes: The Wildcats will practice at 7 p.m. Tuesday, instead of the regularly-scheduled time of 3:30 p.m. Weather will dictate location.