Spring Football Notebook No. 15

By: Press Release | WNCT
Published: April 11, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Head coach Skip Holtz and his East Carolina Pirates will officially complete their spring season Saturday with the playing of the annual Purple-Gold Game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Similar to the last two seasons, the two teams will be divided up as East Carolina and Pirates, and like last spring's clash, Saturday's rosters were compiled in true draft fashion with alternating picks by ECU's coaching staff.

Starters or first-team players identified for "East Carolina" include Jamar Bryant (WR), Dwayne Harris (WR), D.J. Scott (OL), Doug Palmer (OL), Stephen Heis (OL), Andrew Farr (OL), Stanley Bryant (OL), Davon Drew (TE), Dominique Lindsay (RB), Kevin Gidrey (FB), D.J. McFadden (WR) and DeMorio Waymon (WR) on offense and Scotty Robinson (DE), Maurice Mercer (DT), Josh Smith (DT), Willie Smith (DE), Cliff Perryman (OLB), Nick Johnson (MLB), Melvin Patterson (OLB), Jerek Hewett (CB), Leon Best (S), J.J. Milbrook (S) and Emanuel Davis (CB) on defense.

Players selected to open the contest for the "Pirates" are Reyn Willis (WR), Darryl Freeney (WR), Travis Melvin (OL), Cory Dowless (OL), Sean Allen (OL), T.J. Harper (OL), Terence Campbell (OL), J.R. Kraemer (TE), Jonathan Williams (RB), Jason Simmons (FB), Alex Taylor (WR) and Javon Brumsey (WR) on offense and C.J. Wilson (DE), Khalif Mitchell (DT), Brandon Setzer (DT), A.J. Johnson (DE), Quentin Cotton (OLB), Steve Spence (MLB), Lorenzo Osborne (OLB), Travis Simmons (CB), Dekota Marshall (S), Van Eskridge (S), Darryl Reynolds (CB) on the defensive side of the ball.

In regards to special teams assignments, Ben Hartman will kick, Matt Dodge will punt and Wilson Raynor will snap for both squads.

The contest will feature many similarities of a regular season game in regards to scoring, officiating and an operative clock while live hitting will also be permitted on all positions.

In addition to a handful of players who have sat out the entire spring season for rehabilitation assignments, Holtz indicated that senior DE Zack Slate (illness), senior LB Dalvon Mack (hand), sophomore DT Linval Joseph (back), junior DT Jay Ross (foot) and redshirt freshman tight end Michael Byrd (hip) will also miss the contest because of injuries.

In a special pre-game ceremony, Holtz and each position coach will recognize the most improved player from their respective unit and also cite individuals who have displayed an outstanding attitude, effort and leadership skills during spring drills.

Seating for the public will be on the south side of the stadium and fans are asked to enter through Gate 2. Game tickets will be available Saturday for $5.00, or $10.00 with the addition of a plate of award-winning bar-b-cue from the 24th Annual Great Pirate Purple/Gold Pigskin Pig-Out Party.

Bar-b-cue will be served beginning at 11:00 a.m., rain or shine, at the big white tent located in White Lot (grass) adjacent to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. For convenience, there will also be a drive-thru pick-up location in the parking lot adjacent to Clark-LeClair Stadium.

As a courtesy to fans, complimentary roster flipcards containing a listing of players by uniform color (offense and defense), will be available at all entrance gates.