The Rattlers football team, after falling to Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference rival Bethune-Cookman during last season’s “Florida Classic,” is ready to begin the 2012 season on a high note.
FAMU has been preparing for its resurgence during spring training, which began March 19. After a month of practice, head coach Joe Taylor and his staff said they are moving toward “phase two” of his spring football program.
“Phase one was making sure that the players are well conditioned enough to endure task ahead,” Taylor said. “Phase two is a very critical process in which the players will actually start getting into a more familiar football like atmosphere.”
Taylor said the hard-hitting practices would prepare the team for its upcoming “Orange and Green” scrimmage game, which will take place Saturday.
Taylor said the scrimmage would help the team sharpen its game plans. He said that would help the team push for a MEAC championship this upcoming season. The Rattlers were MEAC co-champions in 2010.
The game will also allow new team members the opportunity to display their skills in game-like situations.
“Success is definitely in inconvenience” said Walk-on player Timothy Edwards, “But if we continue to work hard and listen to our coaches we will be where we want to be”.
Although Taylor coaches with a hardnosed philosophy, he said his primary goal is to make sure his athletes succeed off the field as much as they do on the field.
“I try to express the importance Relationship and purpose to these young men”, Taylor said. “So at the end of the day, they have a better understanding of what’s really important in life”.
Team members said the squad has the ingredients necessary to become a dominant force in the conference next year. They added that they plan to use “Orange and Green” as chance to send that message.
Last season, the Rattlers finished with a 7-4 record overall and a 5-3 record in MEAC play. FAMU will open the 2012 season in Nashville, Tenn., in the Big John Merritt Classic against Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 1 at LP Field.