SPRINGDALE -- Shiloh Christian wrapped up its spring practices with a spirited Blue-Gold scrimmage in Champions Stadium on Thursday.
The Saints, 9-4 last season under first-year coach Jeff Conaway, return a number of skill position players including rising junior quarterback Connor Reece, who earned All-Northwest Arkansas Newcomer of the Year honors as a sophomore after passing for more than 2,500 yards.
Shiloh Christian Saints
Date^Opponent^Time
Sept. 1^Charleston#^TBD
Sept. 11^Bastrop, La.^7 p.m.
Sept. 18^at Tulsa (Okla.) Victory Christian^7 p.m.
Sept. 25^at Berryville*^7 p.m.
Oct. 2^Huntsville*^7 p.m.
Oct. 9^at Prairie Grove*^7 p.m.
Oct. 16^at Gentry*^7 p.m.
Oct. 23^Lincoln*^7 p.m.
Oct. 30^at Gravette^7 p.m.
Nov. 6^Pea Ridge^7 p.m. #— at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
*— 4A-1 Conference game
Conaway said the team had to make some adjustments during the spring with several members of the football team involved in a deep postseason run by the Saints' baseball team.
"We had some things we had to monitor and adjust," Conaway said. "I felt like the guys handled it well."
This was Conaway's first spring with the Saints after taking over the program last summer.
Reece was among the standouts Thursday with several nice passes. One of his top targets was Tyler Roth, a rising junior who missed last season with an injury.
"He's had a great spring," Conaway said. "He's going to be a playmaker for us on offense, and on defense he's really surprised us. He's really smart on the backside, he does what he's supposed to do."
There are a host of new coaches with the program this spring, including new defensive coordinator Chris Berus from Ardmore (Okla.) Plainview. Berus had just two days of practice with the team, coming in on Tuesday. Berus' son, Broc, was a big part of Thursday's scrimmage on both sides of the football.
"We feel like we were led here," Berus said. "Relationships that we have built played a big part in us coming here."
Although Berus missed the majority of the team's spring practices, he was still able to implement his defensive plan before he arrived.
"Coach and I, ever since we made the commitment to come here, we've been sharing our schemes through email and phone conversations," Berus said, "They've done a phenomenal job of putting in what we want to integrate defensively."
The Saints will start today on working on 7-on-7 to get ready for the summer. Shiloh Christian will participate in a number of team camp and 7-on-7 events, including hosting the Southwest Elite 7-on-7 Tournament in July.
Sports on 05/29/2015