The Age of the Gunslinger

Rader’s first practice portends fast-paced MC offense

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

New Maryville College football coach Mike Rader looks over the Scots on the first day of spring practice on Monday. Photo by Chris Ritchie

Mike Rader has taken the practice field countless times as an assistant coach the last decade. Monday, it was his team.

The new Maryville College head football coach opened his first spring practice to curious onlookers at Honaker Field. For the first hour of the two-hour session, the Scots separated into groups by position. The final hour was largely a fast-paced, 7-on-7 scrimmage, three- and four-wide on every play, quarterback in the shotgun.