85 – Report as Delta Devils Begin Fall Conditioning

Itta Bena, Miss. — By end of day yesterday 85 student-athletes had reported to camp as the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football team reported to began fall conditioning and practice.  With five more expected players who had received clearance for late arrival expected over the weekend, there should be a total of 90 student-athletes aboard.  “Guys came in really excited,” said head coach Willie Totten. “Now we’re just ready to test them and get them on the field.” In this morning’s work out, the team went through time tests on the track which included 40-yard dash and vertical and broad jumps. 

They also hit the iron in the weight room working out at 225 lbs on the bench and inclines.  On the track freshman Gerard Hall (5-9, 189, DB, Memphis, TN) turned in a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash, while redshirt freshman Paul Cox, Jr. (6-5, 190, WR, Patterson, LA) had a 4.41.  Running backs Johey Hargrett (6-0, 265, SR, Chicago, IL) and Ronald Brewer (5-10, 205, R-SO, Memphis), 2008 Preseason All-SWAC, each ran a 4.5.

  In the weight room Robert Austin’s (6-3, 320, SR, DT, Columbus, OH) 34 reps led a trio of lineman that also included Joshua Brown (6-2, 300, OT, R-JR, Belzoni, MS) , 2008 Preseason All-SWAC, that bench pressed 30+ times, while 17 others maxed out with over 20 reps.  “I was impressed with the shape the freshman came in in.   I was really pleased with their running this morning and that of the upper classman,” Totten said. “We had some good 40 times but I was mostly impressed with the weight room.”  This evening the Delta Devils will hold a two-mile run followed by form running at Rice-Totten Stadium.  The Delta Devils will kickoff their season August 30 when they host the Steers of Texas College