Air Force calls off spring intrasquad exhibition

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 30, 2004 | by TODD JACOBSON THE GAZETTE

Air Force has scrapped its end-of-spring Blue-Silver football game, and the Falcons will practice instead, coach Fisher DeBerry said Monday.

Air Force's annual intrasquad game remains scheduled for April 15, but a practice and scrimmage will take its place, DeBerry said.

The practice is tentatively scheduled for Falcon Stadium at 3 p.m., and fans are still welcome, DeBerry said.

Air Force lost 28 seniors off last year's 7-5 squad, and its coaches will spend the spring trying to replace 19 starters.

In previous seasons, seniors were divided on two teams, and the seniors picked the remainder of the players for each team for the game.

The result was often a haphazard contest that was fun, but not very productive, DeBerry said.

"We are such a young team we really feel like we need a practice opportunity more than we need the game-type situations," DeBerry said.

Air Force spokesman Troy Garnhart said the game has never drawn more than 500 or 600 fans.

Last year's game was lightly attended in part because the academy was closed because of security concerns.

DeBerry also canceled three practices before spring break because of excessive injuries, and those practices will be added to the team's schedule during the next three weeks.

"We had 31 guys who could not practice, just nagging things," DeBerry said. "Everything from a cold to a hangnail to a sore tooth or this or that."