Last Friday, April 19, ETSU’s football team finished out their spring practices with their Ballad Health Spring game. The event kicked off at 7 p.m. at Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium. ETSU left the event to be free and open to the general public.
Before the game started fans were encouraged to arrive early to tailgate and enjoy a pregame concert by Emerald Empire Band. The band played music from the 80s, 90s, soul and rhythm. Additionally, fans had the opportunity to play games on the concourse – cornhole, “Dress Like a Buc” photoshoot, QB Toss game. During stoppage of play, fans were entered to participate in on-field competitions.
The layout of this game was a little different than your traditional football game. The game consisted of four quarters, with five minute breaks in between each quarter. Additionally each quarter was 12 minutes long, with a running clock. The last two minutes of the second and fourth reverted back to traditional real, game-like timing.
For this matchup the Bucs were split up into two teams; Blue team and Gold team. The Blue team was led by new Bucs QB Jaylen King. The Gold team was led by QB Gino English.
The first quarter of the game left the Blue team up at 7-0. By halftime the Blue team had increased their lead by 14 making the score 21-0. The Blue team finished off strong, winning the Ballad Health Spring game 28-3.
It was a great way to get fans all across the Johnson City area involved in the program and hyped about the upcoming season. The Bucs open the season August 31 when the Buccaneers visit Appalachian State.
