Cullowhee, N.C. – With clanging construction sounds providing the soundtrack in the background, the Western Carolina football team continued to build for its 2025 season on Tuesday morning, avoiding the threatening skies and rain showers that danced around the mountains but mostly missed the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, allowing the Catamounts to complete the two-hour session.
 
Practicing for the first time in full pads this preseason, heightened emotions and competition ruled the day as the hitting picked up across several team drills amidst cloudy and light drizzle early. Just as the sun heated the turf as it emerged late in the practice, team sessions in the latter stages likewise saw an intensification in the competition on the field.
 
Fifth-year head coach Kerwin Bell was again pleased with many of the efforts he received from his squad during Tuesday's first day in full pads. However, he was very critical of the team's consistent execution – a trait he says is inherent in championship-level football teams.
 
"We're playing hard, we're just not being consistent and efficient the way we need to be a championship team. It comes to attitude; it comes to how you react. So, those are the little things that we've got to correct," said Bell. "Every football team is different every year. So, you've got to continue to bring that leadership to the top and get them to understand what their part is in this deal. And I think we've got some great (leaders) with potential, we've just got to get them to speak up and lead the way."
 
He went on to talk about, with the number of returning players on either side of the ball that earned playing time a season ago, competition is open across the field not only for the two-deep, but to also make the travel list.
 
Additionally, on Tuesday, WCU returner Ken Moore Jr. was listed at No. 19 on the HERO Sports ranking of the Top 25 returning cornerbacks in the NCAA FCS for 2025. He joins teammates AJ Colombo, listed at No. 18 on the HERO Sports best returning FCS wide receivers list, and QB Taron Dickens, who was an honorable mention on the best FCS quarterbacks list.
 
In the early team session on Tuesday, the Catamount defense held the upper hand with a pair of interceptions coming from safety Ed Jones IV and transfer corner Cam'ron Dabney.
 
Later, while the offensive and defensive line worked on pass protection and rush, the skill players worked through a spirited 7-on-7 session. Defensively, redshirt sophomore corner Cam Smith came up with an interception early on, with transfer linebackers Jordan Thompson and Ryan McKinnis both breaking up pass attempts. Ja'morri Downing got in on the PBU action later in the period.
 
Offensively, Dartmouth transfer – and a former product of Christ School in Asheville – Painter Richards-Baker was targeted multiple times with several receptions. Wide receivers Kha'leal Sterling, Trey Walker, and Ellis Chappell each hauled in catches, as did Texas-born freshman tight end Josiah Thomas. Swinging out of the backfield, RB Camury Reid made a nice gain early in the period, while backfield counterparts Jaiden Bond and Markel Townsend also made receptions.
 
Lining up in a situational, non-progressive scrimmage, the Catamount offense and defense went toe-to-toe for the bulk of the second half of the practice. Among the offensive highlights in the team period were solid inside runs by tailback Pat Boyd Jr. and Camury Reid, who also broke free on a screen pass later in the drill. Returning running backs Branson Adams and Markel Townsend also both similarly managed big plays, gaining the edge, alluding multiple would-be tacklers, and sprinting down the sidelines for the chunk play. Townsend managed to turn a well-covered swing pass into a big game with his shifty downfield moves.
 
Tight end Bode Burns hauled in a big-gainer on a pass as five quarterbacks split reps, with redshirt freshman Isaac Lee, redshirt sophomore Bennett Judy, and junior transfer Jack Benson seeing the bulk of the time at the controls.
 
"Offensively, if you look at this group, it's a lot of talented guys. But like I've told them, (success) is not going to just be given to you. Just because you've done it in the past doesn't mean you just automatically get to become one of the best offenses. You've got to earn it," Bell said.
 
Defensive highlights in Tuesday's scrimmage included early stops by nickelback Jeno Junius Jr. and a tackle for loss by cornerback Cam Smith in run support. WCU's interior defensive line and linebackers combined to put up a good run-stalling effort, swarming to the football. Linemen Jaden Meeks, Brandon Joseph II, and Adrian Stone – among others – spearheaded pressure up front, chasing the red-clad QBs from the pocket.
 
With everyone live except the QBs, defensive end Richard Garrett was credited with a sack, while Hasaan Sykes and transfer LB Ryan McKinnis both posted tackles for loss. Skyes corralled his mark on a short pass behind the line of scrimmage, while McKinnis used a strong push by the defensive line to knife through and record the TFL.
 
Bell commented following practice that he feels his defensive unit has what it takes to play at a championship level.
 
"When you look at the veterans and the guys coming back on defense, we've got a lot of good players. And that's why I think we've got the chance to have that championship-style defense this year, which is what you've got to have to truly go win a championship, to be a contender," said Bell.
 
He added, "We've been top three in the nation in offense the last couple of years, and that hasn't gotten us a championship. That's why I'm so happy about this team is the leadership – that veteran leadership is there on defense."
 
Following the competitive team session, which many of the players were vocally disappointed to see end, the Catamounts worked through multiple kickoff-related special teams drills. Kickers Christian Lowery and Marcus Trout traded onside kick attempts, while the "hands team" worked on fielding.
 
Western Carolina returns to workouts in uppers – helmets and shoulder pads – on Wednesday morning before a much-welcomed off-day on Thursday. On Friday, the squad again works out in uppers in preparation for its first of two preseason scrimmages this Saturday, Aug. 9, scheduled for 9 a.m.
 
A reminder that WCU's preseason football practices are open to the public. It is respectfully requested, though, that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or on the sidelines for safety. Also, please be aware of the construction fencing around the West side of the stadium, which will limit access points as construction on the Western Skybox and Whitmire West projects continues this summer and into the fall season.
 
Both season and single-game tickets for the five home dates in #CatamountCountry remain on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Fans can also purchase tickets and game day parking in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets. Season tickets remain the best bet for securing tickets to each of WCU's highly-anticipated six home dates as preseason ticket sales remain brisk.
 
Of note, Western Carolina Athletics is planning a special Fall Sports Preview, presented by Stanberry Insurance, LIVE on location at Catamount Jaxe (114 Market Street, Cullowhee), on Monday, Aug. 11. The show will feature the head coaches of each of WCU's fall sports, including Bell, Chad Miller from women's soccer, Karen Glover from volleyball, and Jesse Norman from cross country. The show will air on WCU's official Facebook page (FB.com/catamountsports).
 
2025 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Wed., Aug. 6 – Practice #7 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Thurs., Aug. 7 – No Practice (Off Day – Film)
Fri., Aug. 8 – Practice #8 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Sat., Aug. 9 – Practice #9 – 9:00 am – 11:00 am (scrimmage, full pads)
Sun., Aug. 10 – Team Photo Day – 2 pm; Practice #10 – 3 pm – 5 pm (helmets only)
Mon., Aug. 11 – Practice #11 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Mon., Aug. 11 - Kerwin Bell on 2025 Catamount Fall Sports Preview - Facebook LIVE
Tues., Aug. 12 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Wed., Aug. 13 – Practice #13 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 14 – No Practice (Off Day – Film)
Fri., Aug. 15 – Practice #14 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets only)
Fri., Aug. 15 – WCU Freshman Student Convocation
Sat., Aug. 16 – Practice #15 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (scrimmage, full – student day)
Sun., Aug 17 – Athletics Welcome Back Event at Catamount Soccer – 12:30 pm
Sun. Aug. 17 – Catamount Football Team Building Event – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mon., Aug. 18 – First Day of Classes at WCU – No Practice (Off-Day)
Tues., Aug. 19 – Begins in-season practice schedule – 4:30 pm
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports, FB.com/WesternCarolinaFootball), Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsfb).
 
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:
Fri., Aug. 8 – Catamount Soccer vs. Queens University (Exhibition) – 6 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 11 - 2025 Catamount Fall Sports Preview Coaches Show – 6 p.m. (Facebook LIVE)
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Catamount Football Ladies Night – Whitmire Stadium – 5 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 14 – Catamount Soccer vs. Appalachian State (Season Opener, ESPN+) – 6 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 17 – Catamount Soccer vs. High Point – 1 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 22 – Catamount Volleyball vs. UNC Pembroke (Exhibition) – 6 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 30 – Catamount Football vs. Gardner-Webb – 6 p.m. (Postgame Fireworks)
Sun., Aug. 31 – Catamount Soccer vs. Tennessee (First Bank Beach Night) – 6 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 9 – Catamount Volleyball vs. UNC Asheville (First Bank Beach Night) – 6 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 12 – The Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament – Sequoyah National in Cherokee, N.C.
Sat., Sept. 13 – Catamount Football vs. Elon – 2:30 p.m. (White Out Whitmire! Wear White!)