By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial
When Arkansas-Pine Bluff kicker Brodie Heflin took a head-on shot following a point-after attempt in the Golden Lions’ second preseason scrimmage and could be heard across the field writhing in pain, head coach Mo Forte feared the worst about the only true kicker he has in camp.
As it turns out, Forte doesn’t have nearly as much to worry about as he had expected, as Heflin suffered just a sprained ankle on his kicking leg and could be ready for the Sept. 1 opener at Mississippi Valley State if all goes as planned.
Forte plans to keep Heflin, who is slated to kick and punt for the Golden Lions, out of practice this week and possible next week in hopes that rest will allow him to heal in time.
“He’s not going to do any kicking this week and just focus on getting treatment and hopefully just staying off it will get him ready,” Forte said. “It’s much, much better than I thought because I really thought it was broken. I didn’t really see it happen because he made the PAT and I was just focusing on getting the ball moved but when I saw him down I really thought the worst.”
Starting safety Steward Franks handled punting duties in Heflin’s absence Monday and is officially UAPB’s backup punter.
“He tinkers around with it and he’s really not bad,” Forte said of Franks. “He’s a good athlete which allows him to do different things like that well but hopefully we won’t have to use him.”
Passing grade
Forte saw enough good things in the Lions latest scrimmage to deem it a good one but he is still looking for more from both sides and especially from his offense.
“I saw some real good plays but also some real inconsistencies on both sides,” he said. “We had two dropped touchdown passes that would have made it look a lot better and the offensive line is still inconsistent but I know we have a chance to get to where we want to be.”
Dean carrying the load
Former Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year Mickey Dean continues to shine in camp after another strong workout Monday that saw him take the majority of the carries with the first team offense.
Reigning SWAC rushing champion Martell Mallett has been slowed by shin splints which has allowed Forte to use Dean almost exclusively to help him lose close to 10 pounds to get him down to his normal playing weight.
“Mickey needs the work to get in shape but he’s looked real good to the point where he looks like he can step right back in and pick up where he left off,” Forte said. “Mallett has taken less reps just to get him a little healthier and he’ll be taking some more carries this week to make sure he develops a rhythm.”
Take it to the house
The most exciting play of Monday’s single session came during a no-tackling scrimmage when All-SWAC wide receiver Jason Jones caught a tunnel screen in the left flat, made a handful of defenders miss as he cut back across the field and eventually tossed a lateral back to Dean, who finished off the 50-yard touchdown.
Schedule
The Golden Lions will go twice today with just an abbreviated morning session that will focus on the kicking game. The third and final preseason scrimmage is scheduled for Thursday and camp will close on Saturday prior to the opening of Week One on Monday Aug. 27.
When Arkansas-Pine Bluff kicker Brodie Heflin took a head-on shot following a point-after attempt in the Golden Lions’ second preseason scrimmage and could be heard across the field writhing in pain, head coach Mo Forte feared the worst about the only true kicker he has in camp.
As it turns out, Forte doesn’t have nearly as much to worry about as he had expected, as Heflin suffered just a sprained ankle on his kicking leg and could be ready for the Sept. 1 opener at Mississippi Valley State if all goes as planned.
Forte plans to keep Heflin, who is slated to kick and punt for the Golden Lions, out of practice this week and possible next week in hopes that rest will allow him to heal in time.
“He’s not going to do any kicking this week and just focus on getting treatment and hopefully just staying off it will get him ready,” Forte said. “It’s much, much better than I thought because I really thought it was broken. I didn’t really see it happen because he made the PAT and I was just focusing on getting the ball moved but when I saw him down I really thought the worst.”
Starting safety Steward Franks handled punting duties in Heflin’s absence Monday and is officially UAPB’s backup punter.
“He tinkers around with it and he’s really not bad,” Forte said of Franks. “He’s a good athlete which allows him to do different things like that well but hopefully we won’t have to use him.”
Passing grade
Forte saw enough good things in the Lions latest scrimmage to deem it a good one but he is still looking for more from both sides and especially from his offense.
“I saw some real good plays but also some real inconsistencies on both sides,” he said. “We had two dropped touchdown passes that would have made it look a lot better and the offensive line is still inconsistent but I know we have a chance to get to where we want to be.”
Dean carrying the load
Former Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year Mickey Dean continues to shine in camp after another strong workout Monday that saw him take the majority of the carries with the first team offense.
Reigning SWAC rushing champion Martell Mallett has been slowed by shin splints which has allowed Forte to use Dean almost exclusively to help him lose close to 10 pounds to get him down to his normal playing weight.
“Mickey needs the work to get in shape but he’s looked real good to the point where he looks like he can step right back in and pick up where he left off,” Forte said. “Mallett has taken less reps just to get him a little healthier and he’ll be taking some more carries this week to make sure he develops a rhythm.”
Take it to the house
The most exciting play of Monday’s single session came during a no-tackling scrimmage when All-SWAC wide receiver Jason Jones caught a tunnel screen in the left flat, made a handful of defenders miss as he cut back across the field and eventually tossed a lateral back to Dean, who finished off the 50-yard touchdown.
Schedule
The Golden Lions will go twice today with just an abbreviated morning session that will focus on the kicking game. The third and final preseason scrimmage is scheduled for Thursday and camp will close on Saturday prior to the opening of Week One on Monday Aug. 27.
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