Wake Forest Athletics
Dog Days of Preseason Wind Down For Wake Forest Football
8/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The Wake Forest football team completed two-a-day practices on Tuesday. The team had been working in the mornings and afternoons since the veterans reported to campus on August 10.
Sophomore quarterback C.J. Leak said he likes how the team is progresses and is looking forward to the season opener on next Thursday, Aug. 31, against Appalachian State.
"We have got a lot of work in. We know that no team in the country is working as hard as us right now. That's how we honestly feel," Leak said. "We're going to be battled-tested veterans even though we?re young. We have a lot of potential and we know we're going to reach that level, there's no doubt about that."
The team has been practicing with an emphasis on special teams recently. Head Coach Jim Caldwell's troops worked on punts, kickoffs and returns on Tuesday afternoon.
"We have spent entire practice sessions, morning practices, on special teams every other morning. We feel like we just have to get better in that area," Caldwell said. "With a young team, that?s an area that we feel like we can gain an advantage if we can get sound and play solid in every phase."
Several players have solidified their roles on the special teams unit, according to Caldwell.
"John Stone is a capable return guy and he?s done a good job. Our kicking specialists have kicked well. Tyler Ashe and Kevin Church (placekickers) are kicking it well and (Matt) Brennie has kicked it well in spots."
The ACC Football Tour visits Wake Forest on Wednesday and just seven practices remain before the Deacons lace it up and take on Appalachian State on Thursday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Wake Forest ticket office at 1-888-758-3322.
