BETHANY - Media Day for the Rudy Mumley OVAC All-Star Football Charity Classic means different things to different people.
For some, it's a lot of work. For others, it's a respite from what's been and what's sure to be a demanding week.
Players and coaches donned their gamenight regalia for the activities Monday afternoon, which were moved from Bison Stadium to the Nutting Gymnasium because of rain.
Article Photos
PHOTO BY RICK THORP
West Virginia coach Doug Taylor (left) of Weirton Madonna and Eric Schumacher of Conotton Valley take time out of their schedule to pose for a picture during Monday’s Media Day at Bethany.
The weather outside didn't dampen the spirits of the head coaches, both of whom have been impressed with what they've seen so far.
''They're very athletic,'' West Virginia Coach Doug Taylor said of his squad.
''They are pretty quick, even the kids we we have that are decent size. They have great speed and are exactly what we wanted.
''Right now, we're pleasantly surprised with most of them.''
Taylor met with his team Sunday night after it reported to camp, as well as twice Monday. The first workout Monday took place at Bethany's baseball field, about a 20-25 minute walk from the West Virginia dorm.
''We walked up there (Monday morning) so we had a a lot of time to intermingle and laugh and make fun of each other ... and (the players) made fun of the coaches, too.''
It's been a lighthearted start to the week for both sides. But as the week moves along Taylor said things will get more serious.
''We came in (to camp) with a gameplan ... a practice schedule of what we plan to implement and what we're going to implement.''
Who does the implementing? Well, that remains to be seen. But Taylor knows he has three talented quarterbacks in the fold - Wheeling Park's Lee Peluchette, Oak Glen's Lucas McDowell and John Marshall's Aaron Fonner.
''Each one of those guys gives us a different dimension,'' Taylor said, ''and we plan to use all three of them.''
Ohio coach Eric Schumacher also has options at quarterback with Indian Creek's David Kemp and Bridgeport's Cole Smelley.
''We'll have certain packages for them, but they're looking good so far and picking things up well,'' he said.
In the short time he's spent with his team, Schumacher said his group has been as good as advertised.
''We didn't put too much in Sunday night and Monday morning,'' he said. ''We'll probably see more of that around Wednesday.''
Schumacher, too, is eager to put his talent in the most favorable positions.
''We're getting a better grasp of who we want where, who can help us here and who can help us there.
''Coming in we knew what we were going to run offensively and defensively. We're trying to find the kids to put in the best positions to run everything as effectively as we can.''
