LAURINBURG — The St. Andrews Knights football team took the field for the first time on Wednesday during an impromptu scrimmage with Jireh Preparatory Academy.

Despite the oppressive heat, the Knights, offense wearing white and defense wearing blue, were hyped to take the field in front of a crowd just two weeks after coming to campus for their first practice.

Both teams struggled during their first few offensive and defensive possessions. The Knights defense forced a three-and-out from the Warriors after their quarterback fumble multiple snaps.

The Knights offense rotated in a different quarterback each series. St. Andrews currently has six quarterbacks vying for the starting position — Kevin Arrington, Keyshawn Brown, Dashaun Ferguson, Michael Minges, Kacey Otto and Deaje Foskey.

Quarterback isn’t the only position the Knights were evaluating during the scrimmage, each series St. Andrews rolled out a different set of defensive backs, linebackers and wide receivers.

St. Andrews head coach David Harper made sure to get a good look at each play, standing behind the offense and defense throughout the scrimmage. Harper seemed to be impressed with his defense, which managed two safety’s — sacking the Jireh Prep quarterback in the end zone.

The Knights first touchdown came with Scotland graduate Ferguson under center. Ferguson moved the offense down the field with pitches to various running backs. The former Scot took the ball in himself from two yards out for the first touchdown of the scrimmage.

St. Andrews will be playing in the Mid-South Conference, the country’s largest football conference, which they are already a part of for wrestling and swimming. The remaining sports at St. Andrews participate in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (ACC).

The Mid-South Conference features 20 teams split into three divisions — Bluegrass, Appalachian and Sun.

The Appalachian Division, which the Knights will be playing in, features Bluefield College out of Virginia; University of the Cumberlands out of Kentucky; Point University out of Georgia; University of Pikeville out of Kentucky; Reinhardt University out of Georgia; and Union College out of Kentucky.

The Bluegrass Division will feature Bethel University out of Tennessee; Campbellsville University out of Kentucky; Cincinnati Christian University out of Ohio; Cumberland University out of Tennessee; Georgetown University out of Kentucky; Kentucky Christian University and Lindsey Wilson College out of Kentucky.

St. Andrews is the only college in the Mid-South Conference and their division that doesn’t already have a football team in place. Harper said building a program from scratch is something that requires a great deal of patience, something he openly admits he lacks.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Scotland graduate Deshaun Ferguson carried the ball across the goal ine for St. Andrews during the football teams first scrimmage against Jireh Preparatory Academy on Wednesday.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_0744.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Scotland graduate Deshaun Ferguson carried the ball across the goal ine for St. Andrews during the football teams first scrimmage against Jireh Preparatory Academy on Wednesday.

By Amber Hatten

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2017 St. Andrews Football Schedule

All games will be played at 1:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Aug. 26 @ Lindsey Wilson College

Sept. 2 @ Webber International University

Sept. 9 vs. Cincinnati Christian University

Sept. 16 BYE

Sept. 23 vs. Faulkner University

Sept. 30 vs. University of Pikeville*

Oct. 7 @ Bluefield College*

Oct. 14 BYE

Oct. 21 @ Point University*

Oct. 28 vs. University of the Cumberlands*

Nov. 4 @ Union College*

Nov. 11 vs. Reinhardt University*

*Appalachian Division game