Weeks worthy in Demons special teams work

NATCHITOCHES ­ Northwestern State is spending plenty of time on special teams play during preseason football camp, with sophomore kicker Robert Weeks making the most of the opportunity to sparkle. Weeks, a sophomore from Pineville who was just four of seven on field goals last year with a long of 32 yards, drilled field goals of 37 and 38 yards Wednesday morning as the Demons went through a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulder pads at Turpin Stadium. ŗHe had a lot of room to spare on both kicks, just really nailed them,˛ said head coach Scott Stoker. ŗHešs doing well and seems on track to have a good season.˛ Sophomore walk-on Lee Scott, who was pushing Weeks for the placekicking job in spring practice, has been outstanding on kickoffs as the Demons have spent plenty of time working kickoff coverage and returns. Scott hasnšt been able to overtake Weeks for the starting spot as the placekicker, but that should be an ongoing competition throughout the season, said Stoker. The Demons practiced for the sixth straight day. They will be in full gear Thursday morning at 8:15 before going through Fall Sports Media Day activities, starting with a press luncheon and including a photo and interview session after lunch. Friday, they will have a light workout in the morning before going through their first major scrimmage of preseason Saturday morning at 9 in Turpin Stadium. ŗWešve made a lot of progress. (Quarterback) Ricky Joe Meeks is playing pretty well, which helps set the stage to get some things done offensively,˛ said Stoker. ŗThe defense has been flying around pretty good. Wešre on pace with where we need to be right now and wešre anxious to see what we can do Saturday morning in our scrimmage.˛ Wednesday morning, true freshman defensive back Johnnie Lee of Jonesville-Block had an interception return for a touchdown to highlight a situational 11-on-11 competitive drill.