Cowboys cool off with pool party

Published 6:00 pm Friday, August 11, 2017

After nine consecutive days of practice, the McNeese State football team will take its first day off.

Instead, the Cowboys will spend time in the pool a day ahead of their first of two scrimmages at 6 p.m. Saturday in Cowboy Stadium.

Sparks flew during the last practice before the public scrimmage, sometimes a little bit too brightly.

One scuffle in particular led to junior cornerback Kyree McLean, a transfer, being sent to the locker room early, though after practice coaches and players brushed off the idea of the altercation being anything other than a result of fatigue and restlessness.

“That’s part of football,” said McNeese senior linebacker Ashari Goins. “You just have to use it as a learning tool. In a game, when things get heated, you have to remember to keep your head because those things can cost us in the long run. You don’t want to cost your team. That would be a game-changing moment.”

The day off comes after more than a week of daily practices, the last five of which have been in full pads in the dead heat of summer on a turf field due to rain rendering the A.I. Ratcliff Practice Fields unusable.

As a result, head coach Lance Guidry said he didn’t know if the Cowboys were more excited about the day off or Saturday’s scrimmage.

Thursday morning’s practice was a quick turnaround for the Cowboys who had to move Wednesday’s morning practice to 4 p.m. Wednesday due to thunderstorms.

Guidry compared the turnaround to a two-a-day, saying there wasn’t much time to rest between the practices outside of sleep.

“I think they’re going to enjoy the swimming pool tomorrow morning and not practicing,” Guidry said. “I think they’ll come back with a lot of juice.”

Young defenders stepping up

Despite the normal fatigue and wear and tear seen by all football teams during August camp, Guidry said he liked the energy the Cowboys played with Thursday, particularly a few younger guys.

He specifically pointed out a pair of young defensive backs who are hoping to find their way onto the field this season.

“Colby Richardson, a corner out of New Orleans had a really good day one-on-one,” Guidry said. “And Yorick Sands had a couple picks back-to-back during passing drills. It’s good to see young guys make plays.”

Backup QB spot secured, for now

Guidry said that right now senior Joe Lissard would take over under center in the event starting quarterback James Tabary can’t perform.

Still, he said Lissard will have to continue to work for that spot as redshirt freshmen Matt Keller and Cody Orgeron improve throughout camp and the season.

“It’s still Joe (Lissard) right now,” Guidry said. “But Matt Keller is doing some good things and Cody Orgeron is doing some good things. The gap is starting to close, which is good. But as of right now, Joe’s going to be the guy.”