Cullowhee, N.C. – Working out in spring-like warm and breezy conditions while dodging the occasional sprinkle, the Western Carolina football team completed practice No. 12 for the Catamounts in their annual spring drills. WCU conducted its final on-field work ahead of Saturday's annual Spring Game, scheduled for Noon on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
 
Also on Thursday afternoon, the Catamounts drafted the two teams for Saturday's final scrimmage as the roster will be split between a Purple Team and a White Team consisting of players on both sides of the ball and special teams.
 
Using seven periods that included position work, unit teaching segments, skill (skelly) and line work, as well as offense-vs.-defense scenarios based around the red zone, the Catamounts worked out for just under two hours before dividing into Saturday's two squads ahead of breaking for the day.
 
"Other than some injuries that kept us from getting a look at some guys, it's been good," said WCU head coach Kerwin Bell of his squad's spring drills 12 practices in. "We've found some guys that we think can help us next year with depth – and maybe some starters. I think we're going to be a really physical football team on both sides of the line of scrimmage."
 
Four quarterbacks wearing the protected red jerseys split the reps on Thursday with returning starter Taron Dickens, redshirt sophomore Bennett Judy, redshirt freshman Isaac Lee, and true freshman Jordan Martin-Durham seeing action. A trio of running backs received the bulk of the reps in converted tailback Patrick Boyd Jr., redshirt junior Corey Reddick, and returning transfer Camury Reid who accounted for 145 yards of offense as a redshirt freshman in 2023 when he earned a spot on the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.
 
During the red zone skelly position drills – pitting the offensive receivers, running back, and tight end against the defensive backs and linebackers – Dickens tossed a touchdown pass to WR James Tyre, who also caught one of the three scoring strikes from Martin-Durham. A south-paw rookie, Martin-Durham also connected with WR Malik Knight and TE Bode Burns for scores. Bennett Judy hit Jai Boyd for a score with Isaac Lee concluding the session with a trio of scores – two to WR Chad Turner.
 
The defensive secondary forced multiple incompletions during the drill. Highlights of the session for the defense included a pass break-up by DB Hasaan Sykes and a PBU that was deflected high into the air where it was intercepted by Zayveon Wells on an athletic move to get to the football.
 
In the final team drill before a competitive special teams punt return downing drill, the offense and defense squared off starting from the 15-yard line in red zone scenarios. Of the seven situations, the offense scored four times with the defense recording a pair of stops. The final possession ended the timed segment with Reid driving toward the end zone but was not completed.
 
Following a three-and-out by the defense in the first possession, Patrick Boyd Jr. cut back on a run to his right and found pay-dirt to even the drill at one win apiece for the offense and defense. Isaac Lee hit James Tyre for a score before Jordan Cardentey earned a point for the defense by recovering a fumble the offense put on the carpet.
 
Dickens tossed consecutive scoring passes to Malik Knight and De'Andre Tamarez before the final possession ran out of clock time.
 
Bell preached consistency and upholding the team standard each day as his squad looks toward the end of spring and into the next phase of his off-season plan. He also talked with the team about enjoying Saturday's spring game to show the progression from the end of last season. His plan is to keep things simple

"That day is to have fun. We've worked hard. Our guys have given us everything, they're trying to get better – and they are. We're a better football team here this week than we were to start this (spring), and that's great to know," said Bell. "Let's go have fun, let's see guys make some plays, and enjoy playing the game of football.
 
WCU's annual Spring Game is set for a Noon start on Saturday (April 5). Please be aware of the addition of construction fencing around the West side of the stadium and Stadium parking lot that will limit access points as construction plans for the Western Skybox and Whitmire West projects start to ramp up this spring.
 
Originally slated to conclude spring practices with Saturday's third and final off-season scrimmage, Bell moved two earlier practices to after the simulated game to maximize teaching during the spring. WCU will hold practice No. 14 next Tuesday, April 8, with the drills concluding in one week on Thursday, April 10, with a helmet-only practice.
 
Unless otherwise noted, each WCU spring football practice is open to the public. It is respectfully requested that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines.
 
Season tickets for the six-game home 2025 schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office and start at just $96 for adults and $66 for youth 12 and under. A Catamount Family Four Pack that includes two adult reserved season tickets, and two youth reserved season tickets is just $250 – that is less than $11 per ticket. The renewal deadline for returning season ticket holders is fast approaching on April 30, 2025.
 
Fans can purchase tickets through the Catamount Athletics Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
 
The unofficial opening of the 2025 SoCon football schedule begins with SoCon Media Day on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. Details regarding the event will be released on a future date.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts).
 
Remaining WCU Football Practice Schedule:
Practice 13: Saturday, April 5 – Noon - 2 pm – SPRING GAME (full pads/scrimmage
Practice 14: Tuesday, April 8 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (uppers)
Practice 15: Thursday, April 10 – 4:15 – 6:30 pm (helmet only)
April 30, 2025 – WCU Football Season Ticket Renewal Deadline