Intensity growing at practice as Bobcats gear up for scrimmage

Texas State held its eighth spring practice on Wednesday. 

The Bobcats came out slow but head coach Jake Spavital was happy with how his team finished the day. 

“They were a little lethargic at the beginning, midweek coming off three workout days in a row, which we knew was going to happen,” Spavital said. “We did some tempo periods early to try and get them going but I thought the way they finished practice was great. They had great energy. Things are starting to get chippy because we’re putting them in so many competitive situations right now. You’re starting to see the competitive nature of everyone come out and I like to see that.” 

Rising junior wide receiver Jeremiah Haydel said it was fun to fly around with his teammates during practice but things got heated. 

“It was a physical practice, so you know your toughness is going to be tested,” Haydel said. “But we got out there today and as an offense we got better today as a whole team … It got a little chippy out there. But it’s all a part of full pads. The tempo is high, intensity is high, so it’s going to be contact and physical.” 

Texas State holds its first scrimmage of the spring on Saturday. Spavital said the scrimmage should provide more answers, especially at wide receiver and offensive line. 

“I think once you get past this scrimmage on Saturday, you’re going to see the depth chart really form,” Spavital said. “We as a staff need to have some great conversations about who are the guys that are going to help us win next year.” 

Wide receivers coach Ron Antoine said he wants to see how his unit adjusts to the quicker offensive pace. 

“I want to see them handle the pace, handle the full drive,” Antoine said. “I’d like to see us as a group make some combat catches (50-50 balls) today in the team periods but I want to see some tough combat catches.” 

Haydel believes Saturday’s scrimmage will be physical. 

“It’s going to be fun,” Haydel said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we can be on both sides of the ball and just make plays and continue to grow.” 

Trio leads wide receivers 

Texas State has a big three at wide receiver. 

Antoine has been impressed with Haydel and rising seniors Hutch White and Mason Hays. 

Those three have helped the wide receiving corps this spring. 

“Haydel, Hutch and Mason aren’t just talented players, they’re good guys off the field,” Antoine said. “They’re great in the class room with Hutch being almost a 4.0 (GPA) student and Mason very similar and Haydel works really hard and has really good grades. But they work in the weightroom as well. So, those guys are great examples not just for our group but for our team as so far as how you handle your business. How you go about working in practice, working off the field. And then they’re great teammates.” 

As an upperclassman, Haydel believes it’s his role to help his younger teammates. 

“I have to teach the guys how to do things the right way and bring them under my wing,” Haydel said. “Just bring them under my wing. It’s a new offense, so I have to catch them up and let them know what’s going on and how to do things.” 

Haydel is confident Texas State's wide receivers are due for success. 

“I think if we stay together and we just continue to work hard and give everything we got, we’re going to do some special things,” Haydel said.