Army football making progress through two scrimmages, heads into final prep for opener

WEST POINT – The Army football preseason camp has taken a turn toward the next phase.

Saturday’s successful second scrimmage at Michie Stadium will be followed by the return to classes on Monday, signaling the affirmation from the junior class for five years of military duty following graduation. It also marks the end of nearly three weeks of football-exclusive preparation.

“It’s my favorite time of the year,’’ head coach Jeff Monken said. “I love preseason camp. It’s an opportunity to bond and grow as a team and as a Brotherhood. It’s all football, all day long, so it gives us opportunities to meet multiple times a day and get workouts. Guys get treatments and get plenty of sleep and great nutrition. It’s a huge positive. I wish it could last longer.’’

Instead, practices become single sessions as the calendar clicks down to the August 30 home opener with Lehigh, leaving the Black Knights just one more week to work out the serious kinks and get in one final scrimmage before game-week prep.

Asked what is the top priority in coming days, Monken said: “Just hone in on the game plan and try to get a game plan together that we think we can work on and master over the next couple of weeks.’’ Immediate attention will include game scenarios and special teams work. “Our goal will be by Friday to have every scenario covered, or at least we have covered it in practice so that we feel confident that if those situations come up in a game that we’re prepared to be ready.’’

Monken was generally pleased with the three-hour second scrimmage on a cloudy Saturday afternoon.

Backup quarterbacks Cale Hellums and Ethan Washington continue to show their growing promise, each working with the top offensive units at times. Dewayne Coleman is also getting a lot of work while projected starter Bryson Daily is seeing limited time.

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Monken praised the work of his developing offensive line. “I feel good about that group as long as we can keep them healthy,’’ he said. “There’s enough depth there that I don't know that we're going to feel like all five got to play every snap of the game and we'll keep them fresh and hopefully some endurance and longevity as we go through the season.’’

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A starting lineup is basically set in Monken’s mind, though he cautions those players need to continue working hard to hold their spots. “It starts to take shape and after three weeks we’ve got a pretty good idea,’’ he said.

kmcmillan@th-record.com

X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football making progress through two scrimmages, heads into final prep for opener