In the category of “what he didn’t need,” Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry has to deal with an injury at halfback after Monday’s practice.
Sophomore Todd Newell suffered a knee injury, further clouding a position DeBerry called his highest concern going into preseason practice. The severity of Newell’s injury wasn’t known Monday afternoon, but DeBerry said he would move two freshman halfbacks into the mix.
Freshmen joined practice Friday and have been involved in just two of the Falcons’ four practices.
“It’s disappointing anytime you get a player hurt,” DeBerry said. “It’s a critical position for us, but I’m pleased with all of our halfbacks.”
Sophomore Chad Smith and junior Justin Handley remain at the top of the depth chart at the halfback positions. Sophomores Chad Hall and Kip McCarthy are the top backups. Newell was playing on the left side behind Smith.
With little game experience at the halfback positions, DeBerry is counting on returning quarterback Shaun Carney, an experienced offensive line and a good push at fullback from Jacobe Kendrick and Ryan Williams to keep the triple-option offense moving.
“Our offensive line should be able to give our young running backs a little space to operate,” DeBerry said. “We have good size up front, and we’ll be better runners at quarterback with Carney and Adam Fitch.”
DeBerry has eight linemen who started games a year ago, including senior center Jon Wilson (6-feet-4, 300 pounds), who made the all-Mountain West Conference second team.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
