HELENA -- Carroll College opened fall camp on Aug. 11, and for five long days players and coaches were chomping at the bit to strap on the pads. Practicing in only helmets has its merits, but practicing with full-contact drills allows players and coaches to evaluate each other fully.
"Just seeing who is going to hit and who really got the tackle, because defense said he's down, offense said, 'I wasn't,' so now you know who got tackled and who didn't and what we need to work on," said head coach Troy Purcell.
Following practice Purcell said he liked what he saw but knows the Saint's have a long way to go before their date with Montana Western.
"Just real proud of the guys, looking at their effort, looking at their toughness and seeing what kind of shape they're in also," said Purcell. "I think we've got to get in better shape. I don't think we're there yet so I've got to push them a little harder."
The Fighting Saints will make the trip to Dillon to open their season on the road against the Montana Western Bulldogs on Sept. 7
