Contributed
(August 17, 2010)

It was hard to determine exactly why Faulkner head football coach Gregg Baker was smiling following the Eagles’ first full squad practice Monday morning. It could have been the condition of his football team, which has more talented experience than ever before. Or it could have been because it was the first full workout at John Mark Stallings Field, the Eagles’ new sprint-turfed facility that will one day host team’s home football games.

Baker, in his second year as Faulkner’s head man, says it was both.

“We’re excited about this team and the guys we have coming back, and we’re really excited about this field,” Baker said. “To be able to walk out of our fieldhouse and right onto this beautiful field is almost unbelievable. To finally have it is truly a blessing. Our guys were so excited this morning.”

Faulkner has 125 players out for fall practice and spent much of the two-hour morning workout installing new sets and getting repetitions for the Eagles’ upperclassmen. Freshmen reported last week, and used the practice time to gain familiarity with the playbook. The Eagles practiced again late Monday afternoon. In the coming days, Baker will be able to practice under the newly-installed lights at the field.

The Eagles will practice again Tuesday in shorts and helmets, before moving to shoulder pads and helmets on Wednesday. The first full-pads practice will be Thursday. Faulkner opens its season at Cramton Bowl on Sept. 11 against Birmingham Southern. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

For more information please contact Faulkner assistant athletic director Doug Amos at (334) 313-1170.