Beavs scrimmage in Bend
The Beavers football team continued its fall camp Saturday morning, only this time there was an audience. Locals from Bend and the surrounding areas flocked to Summit High School to watch the lone open practice, and they were treated to a mostly mistake-free practice full of big plays.
The 70-degree weather was a welcome change for the team, and the players responded by hitting with a ferocity normally reserved for games. Not everything went as planned as the team lost tight end Noah Togiai, offensive lineman Sean Harlow, and linebacker Kenny Turnier to ankle and knee injuries, but the fans remained supportive throughout the day.
Offense took center stage throughout the day as fans were delighted to watch Darell Garretson build chemistry with an expanded group of receivers and running backs. Garretson focused mainly on Jordan Villamin and Trevon Bradford, but the quarterback was quick to point out that he doesn’t have a favorite target at this point in camp.
“No, not really, not yet. I feel like, as a group, you know the wide receivers are a pretty solid bunch of guys. They all can catch the ball and run. It’s just, you know, fun. They’re good”.
Garretson's confidence in his receiving corps translated into some big plays, especially with Seth Collins, who has been making the transition to wide receiver after a stint as the starting quarterback. While Collins has been performing well while learning the position, he has noticed some differences.
“It’s a lot more running. For sure," Collins said. "I can feel it in my feet. It’s real hot out here on the turf, but I feel good.”
Given Collins’ versatility, it seems likely that the former quarterback could run some trick plays. So far, though, Collins hasn’t been pushing that idea with Coach Andersen.
“Nah, I’ve just been in his ear about getting the football. That’s it.”
The fans in attendance were very excited to watch Collins perform, and he didn’t disappoint with two long touchdown receptions in traffic.
“It was cool, you know,” Collins said. “It was great for all these people to come out and support, you know, so far away from Corvallis.”
Collins continued by pointing out that having fans around gives the practice more of a live game feel, and it makes the players want to put on a show.
Another player excited to play in front of the local crowd was running back Marcus Greaves. The junior is originally from Prineville, a small town located 45 minutes away from Bend, and his high school career took him to Bend on many occasions. This fall camp actually served as a pseudo-homecoming for Greaves as many friends and family were in attendance.
"Yes, it’s a little different, coming back in different colors,” Greaves said (his high school wore blue and yellow). “It’s just weird being back here, especially when they said we were going to Bend, you know, everybody was all ‘oh, I’ve never been to Bend’. Man, I was there all the time.”
The Beavs have three more days of practice and bonding before heading back to Corvallis. It will be interesting to track the progress of players like Collins and Greaves as they try to earn more playing time.