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FAYETTE, Mo. - Central Methodist enjoyed its second taste of full contact Wednesday in the sixth practice of the spring held at Davis Field.

Head Coach Jody Ford put the squad through extended periods of live drills, including 11-on-11 segments that included series with the offense starting at its own 30 and the opposing 30. Fourth and short plays between the offense and defense concluded the workout. Afterward, Ford said plenty of positives came from the full-go repetitions.

"I saw some great things, guys moving the line of scrimmage of both sides of the ball and backs running hard," Ford said. "The offense took it to us during the first couple of team drills, really came out and hit us in the mouth, but I liked how the defense responded during the fourth down session of practice.

"What it does is give the guys a sense of what we are looking for, especially in terms of tempo. Overall, I'm pleased where we are after six practices," the coach added.

After being shut down for much of practice five, Central Methodist's offense rolled during the first three series of 11-on-11 drills, with each drive starting at the offense's 30. The first drive featured the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense, and on the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Kaleb Borghardt hit running back Zeke Zimmer down the seam for a 70-yard scoring strike.

On the second drive, Borghardt again went to work through the air, finding wide receiver Shawn Whitley and tight end Kelly Malloy for completions of 10 and seven yards, respectively. Borghardt then used his legs to pick up gains of 15 and 10 yards. The Eagles drove to the opposing 28-yard line, but a 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

The third drive featured No. 2 offense versus the second-team defense, with much of the same result as the first two drives. Quarterback Max Holmes completed two passes for 29 yards which was followed by two carries of 21 yards by running back Tyler Steinkamp. A Holmes' six-yard scramble set up a 25-yard field goal, but the drive ended without points as the kick sailed left of the goal posts.

Whitley and Zimmer stood out for the offense during series where the offense started on the defense's 30-yard line. Whitley caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Holmes, and Zimmer rumbled into the endzone from 30 yards out.



Wide receiver Paul Stevens had a nice one-handed, sliding catch for 34 yards on a throw from Borghardt.

The defense picked up the intensity during fourth and short reps, halting the offense on seven of nine attempts.

The Eagles should expect more contact in their seventh practice Sunday afternoon. The full pad session will mark the midpoint of Spring Practice.