Coastal Carolina finalized its 2009 football schedule on Thursday, utilizing the simplest solution to resolve its scheduling conflict.

Coastal will now travel to Towson on Sept. 19, will host N.C. A&T on Sept. 26 and have its bye on Oct. 3, coach David Bennett said. No other changes were necessary to the schedule Coastal released earlier this month. The conflict was created when N.C. A&T mistakenly double-booked two opponents, Coastal and N.C. Central, for Oct. 3.

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Coastal was originally scheduled to meet Towson on Sept. 26, but both teams had byes on Sept. 19 and were able to move their game to that date. That gave Coastal the freedom to host N.C. A&T on Sept. 26.

The change may eventually benefit the Chants, because they will now have their bye after four games instead of two.

“In a perfect world you’d play five games and have an open week or play six games and have an open week,'’ Bennett said. “The next best thing is to play four, have an open date and then play seven. I like that better. You don’t want to have an open date the second week of the year if you can help it.'’

N.C. A&T Athletic Director Wheeler Brown, who said his department was responsible for the conflict, was elated to find a solution that will allow the Aggies to both honor their contract with Coastal and play rival N.C. Central.

“I guess it averted disaster for everybody involved,'’ he said. “I’m just glad things could work out. I’m glad we can move forward.'’

2009 Coastal Carolina football schedule

Sept. 3 at Kent State 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 Monmouth 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Towson TBA
Sept. 26 North Carolina A&T 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 VMI 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Liberty TBA
Oct. 24 at Stony Brook TBA
Oct. 31 at Clemson TBA
Nov. 7 a-Gardner-Webb 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 Presbyterian 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Charleston Southern 1:30 p.m.

a - homecoming

Now it’s official

Cheraw tailback Travis Small was officially accepted into Coastal on Thursday, and after he signed his paperwork, Bennett was allowed to comment on his addition to the team. Small, the state’s second all-time leading rusher, plans to walk on next fall if the Chants don’t have an available scholarship.

“You’ve got a kid that’s a quality student-athlete and an even better person,'’ Bennett said. “Nobody in Cheraw has ever said he’s not a great young man.

“He wants to be here. For a young man to say I want to be there and if you don’t have [a scholarship] open I’ll pay my own way until January … that speaks volumes to me. That makes us want him that much more.'’

Pro Day

Coastal will hold its annual Pro Day on Friday today in front of a handful of NFL scouts. Nine former Chanticleers, former Socastee and Presbyterian receiver Terrance Butler and former S.C. State offensive lineman Raymond Harrison will participate in the event, which is expected to draw representatives from four to five NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

Corner Marrio Norman, offensive lineman Britt Leggett, corner Whittmin Reese, linebacker D.J. Rice, tailback Arthur Sitton, tailback Jamie Fordham, defensive lineman Ronnie Mason, defensive end/linebacker Ron Washington and linebacker Anthony Steele are the former Chants that will work out.

Norman, who has yet to return to top form after sustaining an ankle injury last fall, and Leggett figure to have the best opportunity to earn an NFL free-agent invite from the group.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with measurements and tests in the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press. The players will then participate in running tests, including the 40-yard dash, before going through position-specific drills.

Moving Around

Coastal’s offensive coaches want to get 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman Chris Presley on the field in some capacity next fall. It’s starting to appear more and more likely that’s going to occur at wide receiver.

Since returning from spring break, Presley has spent extensive time working at receiver and less at quarterback. Presley’s inconsistencies as a passer likely limit his potential under center, but the coaching staff has raved about his overall athleticism and ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.

Presley has made several tough catches during one-on-one practice sessions this week, but he is still adjusting to receiver, a position he hasn’t played since his freshman year at Bamberg-Ehrhardt.

“Moving over doesn’t matter to me, because I just want to get on the field and play,'’ Presley said.

“During 11-on-11 [full offense vs. defense] I may get in on a few plays, but I’m really just trying to learn so I don’t get in and mess it up.'’

Second time out

Coastal will hold its second spring scrimmage at 10 a.m. Saturday in Brooks Stadium, giving the offense a chance to atone for its performance in the Chants’ first spring scrimmage.

The defense dominated the first scrimmage, which was held at Doug Shaw Stadium. The annual Teal-Black Spring Game will be played at noon April 4 in Brooks Stadium.

Coastal finalizes 2009 football schedule
By Josh Hoke, The Myrtle Beach Sun (SC)
http://www.thesunnews.com/sports/story/837261.html