Deacs complete final scrimmage

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - With less than 10 days until the season-opener against Presbyterian, the Wake Forest football team held its final scrimmage of the preseason on Wednesday morning at BB&T Field.

The team practiced for just under two hours and were put into many game-like situations.

"We had a really good situational scrimmage today which I thought was good for us," said head coach Jim Grobe. "We're trying to give the guys as much of a game-type situation as we can just to make them think. I think everyone is a little worn down both physically and mentally right now, which we should be because we're working hard. We're not ready to back off yet though because we're not quite where we want to be."

The offense had a solid showing on Wednesday as it scored touchdowns in each of its first two drives. Juniors Matt James and Orville Reynolds capped the drives with scores as Reynolds and quarterback Tanner Price hooked-up for a 15-yard touchdown. Flanker Michael Campanaro also caught a 10-yard pass for a touchdown while freshman John Armstrong had a pair of TD runs late in the scrimmage.

"The offense took care of the football today which was a good thing and I thought the defense was sharp. They did well in some down-and-distance situations, some third and long and some two minute offense. Overall, we're thinking pretty good and reacting to what the other side is doing."

With much of the base offense and defense in place, the team will focus on game preparations for the August 29 opener against Presbyterian. Grobe knows that no matter how well the coaches do in getting the players ready, it's a different animal when the lights are on.

"There is nothing like the game though," he said. "We can throw as many situations at them in practice but it won't be anything like what they're going to see next Thursday night."