In the few months since John Pennington has been the head coach of the West Virginia State football team, the program has put an emphasis through the offseason on developing a level of pride in the school for which they're suiting up.
That was the message again on Saturday as the Yellow Jackets took part in their annual spring game to wrap up spring practice and head into the final months of the offseason before practice for the 2017 season kicks off in August.
"There was some sloppy play today for sure, and we've got plenty of time to clean that up, but the major thing I wanted to accomplish throughout this spring was for these guys to develop some pride in playing for West Virginia State," Pennington said. "I think we saw these guys come out and work hard with a lot of pride today. We expect them to compete and play hard in games like this and that's what I'm proud of from what I saw."
The Gold team was able to hang on for a 15-13 win over the Black in the short scrimmage, but as the new staff continues to evaluate the team, the focus wasn't on the scoreboard. This is a team that has been looking to develop a winning mindset and find leaders who will step up and make plays when their time comes.
In this game, on a rainy Saturday afternoon, WVSU wasn't able to throw the ball around as much as it usually does, but those conditions did allow the team to take a closer look at its running game. With backs like Dionta Brown and Juawan Etheredge returning after encouraging 2016 seasons, as well as players like former Cabell Midland standout Tyler Brown beginning to emerge, Pennington was happy to see where that group was.
There were also plenty of positives to take on the defensive side of the football where the Yellow Jackets forced three turnovers, highlighted by an interception that Henry Forson returned for a touchdown.
"We ran the football well, which was something we were interested to see how we'd do. Defensively, we forced turnovers and flew around to the football," Pennington said. "Our pass game was tough with the weather, and we expected that, but the defense has been really difficult go up against.
"I was really happy with the running game because we're seeing some depth start to form. To see guys like Tyler Brown - who is a local guy and gives his heart and soul to this team - emerge is a great thing moving forward."
At the beginning of the second quarter, the team got to share in a moment that was bigger than football.
The Yellow Jackets subbed in 3-year-old Paxton Brake, who was diagnosed with leukemia, for a play and he scored a touchdown and celebrated with the WVSU team as it chanted his name. Experiences like that are things that Pennington said can be the best reward of all of the players to get to be a part of.
"I had a friend contact me about Paxton and we talked to his parents and asked him to be part of our team. He was so excited about it," Pennington said. "He's a ball of energy and has been to some of our practices.
"Our guys love him and he gives us strength. It shows them there are bigger things than this game we love so much. It's something we can all rally behind. He's an incredible little boy and this entire program loves having him around."
Contact Michael Carvelli at 304-348-4810 or michael.carvelli@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @carvelli3.