Shrine Camp: Day 1

By rbrown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: August 1, 2016

New Hampshire held its first two practices at Castleton (Vt.) University on Sunday in preparation for Saturday’s Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. Kingswood’s Justin Leonard, who is New Hampshire’s head coach, said most of the team’s practice time was devoted to installing New Hampshire’s base offense.

“We didn’t ease them into camp,” Leonard said. “We threw them into the fire and they responded. With the 7-on-7s we did this summer a lot of the kids knew what we were doing. Once we’re done installing the base offense we’ll build off of that.”

Leonard most of the players on his roster will be used exclusively on offense or defense, but some will see time on both sides of the ball.

“Because of injuries and other things some guys will be forced to go both ways, but it will only be a series or two where we use them outside of their primary position,” Leonard said. “Some guys we won’t know (their primary position) until we put pads on. A kid like Bryce Walker from Milford is a great running back and a great defensive back.”

New Hampshire has won the last 15 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowls, and leads Vermont 47-13-2 in the series. New Hampshire prevailed 27-12 last season.

Saturday’s game will be played at Castleton University. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Leonard said his team will use a 4-2 and a 3-3 defensive front.

“We have nine defensive linemen and we plan to rifle through those guys to have fresh legs throughout the game,” Leonard said. “We’re very deep at linebacker and very deep at defensive line. No one is going to hurt us at those positions if we have to put the in the game.”

New Hampshire will practice three times Monday. Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl media day is scheduled for Tuesday.

“From talking to past coaches in this game we’re days ahead of where we should be because of the 7-on-7s,” Leonard said.

*****

Former Salem running back Max Jacques holds the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl record for yards rushing in a game. Jacques ran for 248 yards in the 2011 game played at Windsor High School.