April 9, 2003
As Georgia Tech’s spring practice winds down toward Saturday’s spring game, the defensive end position with the tandem of Tony Hargrove and Eric Henderson has been one of the Yellow Jackets’ most productive areas.
Saturday’s spring game begins at 11 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field. Admission is free, and fans should enter Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field through Gate 1 on the West side or Gate 9 in the Southeast corner, with seating available in the lower bowl in the West, South and East stands.
“We’re trying to keep the defensive line and the offensive line together for the scrimmage to create some continuity,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey after Wednesday’s practice. “I want to see how people work together, how they play individually, and see how they perform when there are people in the stands, we’re keeping score and the 25-second clock is running.”
Hargrove, a junior from Punta Gorde, Fla., and Henderson, a sophomore from New Orleans, La., both return after starting last season. The 6-4, 266-pound Hargrove started every game last fall and made 49 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, including four sacks.
Henderson, a third-team freshman all-America by The Sporting News, tied for the team lead with 15 tackles for loss, including five sacks. He also had 47 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
“That’s the one area we have seen some consistency,” said Gailey of his defensive ends. “They’ve been active all spring, making plays all of the field. There’s been consistent play out of those two, and I think they’ve improved a great deal this spring.”
Tech also hopes to have all-America defensive end Greg Gathers back in the lineup next fall after he missed most of last season with a kidney ailment. Gathers has been practicing this spring but not participating in full contact drills. Redshirt freshman Terron Pullen, out for the spring with a shoulder injury, should also contribute.
“We hope to have Greg back, and Terron Pullen was showing some promise until he was injured,” continued Gailey. “So we’ve got a chance to be fairly strong at the defensive end spot.”
The Yellow Jackets will practice Friday afternoon and then conclude the spring with Saturday’s spring game.
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