Ayers Pleased with Bucs Performance

Coach Mike Ayers of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers was reasonably pleased with his charges' performance Saturday in a controlled scrimmage which ended the first week of pre-season drills.

"I was pleased with the hustle on defense and the way the offense threw the ball and caught the ball," Ayers commented after the hour and 45 minute drill.

"I think we will have a home run threat this season, especially with Troy Watson on hand," Ayers continued. "The quarterbacks threw the ball well and the receivers caught the ball well.

"I thought Jeff Morgan read the defenses well today and I think we have the potential of a big play offense," Ayers said. "We still have a long way to go and we are going to have to hang on to the ball a lot better.'

On reason for the optimism for the home run play is Watson, a transfer from Northwest Mississippi Junior College. Watson has been impressive so far and he could a major plus for the Buccaneers.

Watson, a wide receiver who is probably the fastest of the Buccaneers, has good hands and showed well in the initial scrimmage.

"Troy is very fast and has good moves," Ayers said. "He called me this summer and asked is he could come with Alger Williams who is a good friend of his from Memphis."

The quarterback situation could develop into a very interesting battle with Morgan, and Wayne Armstrong and Ryan Beadle fighting it out for the No. 1 spot.

Armstrong, a junior from Brentwood, has thoroughly learned the Buccaneer system now and he showed a lot ability throwing the ball Saturday.

"Wayne did a good job passing the ball and he's coming around," commented Ayers.

Although it's still early and the opening game isn't scheduled until Sept. 13 against Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., Ayers has seen a lot of promise among the newcomers.

"We have a lot of young linemen who seem to be good," he said in what my well be an understatement. "most of our veterans came back ready to go and I still think we can be a good football team."

The Buccaneers went through the first scrimmage session with a number of players on the sideline. For instance only three running backs took part in the scrimmage but most are expected back on Monday.

The Buccaneers closed out there three-a-day drills with the scrimmage and Monday will have an early morning kicking drill and then a regular practice in the afternoon.

Another scrimmage is schedule Saturday at J. Fred Johnson Stadium in Kingsport at 10 a.m. on Sept. 6,a game-type scrimmage is scheduled for the Stone Castle in Bristol.


--- Johnson City Star, September 3, 1986

[The Bucs went 6-5 (4-3) in 1986, under Ayers, recently inducted into the SoCon HOF, our only winning season out of 3 with him in charge.]