Pinkowski happy with players

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on August 7, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Eight returners on each side of the ball, a new quarterback and a team that reported to practice in shape has given Charles B. Aycock head coach Randy Pinkowski plenty to feel good about.

Like every other team in the News-Argus readership area, the Golden Falcons officially began practice last weekend. Aycock also held a mini-camp in late July and Pinkowski has been encouraged by the number of players who have shown up for practice in good physical condition.

"The first few days have gone very well," said Pinkowski. "The kids did a great job in the offseason of doing their workouts and going to camp. They came to practice in great shape. We're really ahead of schedule as far as I'm concerned."

Aycock has averaged nearly 80 players for its first handful of practices with Pinkowski anticipating keeping roughly 36 of those on the varsity squad.

Junior Tyler Farmer has been handed the keys to the offense this season as former quarterback and fellow junior Craig Murdock has moved to wide receiver. Murdock suffered a shoulder injury at Wilson Fike last season forcing the Golden Falcons to switch from a spread Pro-I offense to a more traditional I-formation.

Pinkowski describes Murdock as having "some of the best hands I've seen since I've been here." He believes Farmer is ready to guide the offense.

"Every coach will tell you you're only as good as you're quarterback," said Pinkowski, whose team finished 4-7 overall a year ago. "Tyler gives us a real complete quarterback. He's very smart, very athletic and we've been real, real pleased with his development."

Practicing in the evenings has helped the Golden Falcons avoid higher temperatures. Pinkowski and his staff have taken the necessary measures to keep their players hydrated and inform them of ways to take care of their bodies.

"We provide all the water the kids can stand to drink," said Pinkowski. "We have regular water breaks and ice towels. Every coach at each station has a set of water bottles. You also have to talk to your kids and educate them.

"I always tell them to go home and get a gallon jug of water and to put it in the refrigerator. When they come back the next day I want that gallon of water drank."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Attempts to reach first-year Eastern Wayne coach Guy Williams for this story were unsuccessful.