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Locals looking for their chance to shine at college football spring games

Battle Creek's McKinney, Kemp, Herbers among those getting a chance to contribute in college football spring games.
Credit: Provided
Former Battle Creek Central standout Austin McKinney (No. 29) looks over a runner after helping with the tackle during the Saginaw Valley State University Spring Game recently.

Football is played in the fall. But football teams are built in the spring as players look to get better.

Several local players recently went through the exercise of spring football camp at their respective colleges as each is trying to gain the notice of their coaches as they hope to see more playing time in the fall.

Taking a big step in that direction was former Battle Creek Central standout Austin McKinney as he made some noise in the Saginaw Valley State University spring game.

With an open competition in the defensive backfield, McKinney was given plenty of playing time in the annual spring game at SVSU, lining up at safety.

"I thought it went pretty decent. I was able to make a couple big plays right off the bat," McKinney said. "I got a good hit that popped the ball out and made another big hit at the goal line to stop a touchdown."

After being a redshirt last season, the 2017 BCC graduate hopes to see his first taste of college football this upcoming fall and did his best to gain the attention of his coaches at the 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety helped Team Defense get the win in the spring contest.

"The best thing about it was that I was able to get my feet wet. It was my first collegiate experience out on the field in a game, being out with the guys," McKinney said. "My plan is to stay up here in Saginaw all summer and work hard and in the fall camp, I feel like I will be competing for a starting spot."

Grand Valley State University redshirt freshman running back Dre'On Kemp rushed for 99 yards and three touchdowns in the Lakers' 28-3 win over Northern Michigan on Oct. 28, 2017. (Photo: Courtesy of Grand Valley State Athletics)

Grand Valley State Spring Game

The main rivals of SVSU also had its spring event with Grand Valley State University, taking the festivities inside on Saturday due to the weather. Head coach Matt Mitchell ran his squad through a two-hour practice that consisted of one-on-one drills and a lot of live team run and team pass full contact action.

Former Lakeview standout Dre'On Kemp was hoping to use this spring to take another step toward being a key contributor in the Grand Valley backfield after getting his first taste of action last year. As a redshirt freshman, Kemp had a big game late in the year, coming in for the injured starting running back Marty Carter and had three touchdowns and 99 yards.

Coming out of spring, it was reported that Kemp is seen as a contender for playing time in a deep backfield as he is fighting for carries with junior transfer Chawntez Moss as the backup to Carter, who will return as the starter.

Former BCC standout Michael Pettis, a 6-2, 240-pound junior, saw extensive time at defensive line during spring drills as he will be expected to give the Lakers depth at that position in the fall.

Harper Creek grad Josh Bass, who originally started his collegiate career at Western Michigan, has one more season of eligibility at GVSU. Bass did not participate in spring drills to save his semester of eligibility, but is said to be in the mix for a starting offensive line spot in the fall.

Jacob Herbers (Photo: Courtesy of University of Minnesota Athletic Communications)

Big opportunity in Big Ten

Former All-State punter at Lakeview Jacob Herbers is in position to take over the main punting duties at the University of Minnesota. Last year's Gopher starting punter Ryan Santoso has graduated after finishing with the fourth-best punt average in history of the school.

Heading into spring, that left Herbers as the lone punter left on the roster. Herbers saw the field last year as the holder on field goal and point-after attempts.

Trying to avoid bad weather, Minnesota moved its spring game up to Friday with the Gold Team beating the Maroon, 24-20. Herbers worked as the starting punter for his team in the game.

Ferris State University

The Ferris State Spring Game, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed due to weather and will be played April 20. Cyntell Williams, a 2016 Battle Creek Central graduate, has been competing for time in the defensive backfield this spring.

Contact Bill Broderick (269) 966-0678 or bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick

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