The 2015-2016 season is right around the corner for the Pirates. But, the Pirates are in the midst of adversity since Kurt Benkert, who had been named ECUs starting Quarterback, tore his ACL a couple weeks away from the first game.
The Pirates have now named Junior Blake Kemp the new starting Quarterback.
Junior inside receiver Isaiah Jones is close friends with Benkert on and off the field, even referring to him as a “brother”. And as brothers do, Jones went over to see him after what happened and they talked about it. They are both confident that Benkert will bounce back, rehab really well and we will be seeing him in 2016.
Jones has nothing to say but great things about his teammate saying, “He is a great guy, a leader, competitor.”
As for when all the boys got back together and the news of the extent of Benkerts’ injury sank in, the mood of course was saddened. But they all know he is a fighter and this Pirate team is “resilient”, in the words of Jones.
I spoke with senior tight end Bryce Williams who had been used to some stability on the field with former Quarterback Shane Carden, but even with the unknowingness of actual game time with a new QB he is still feeling confident in his abilities in the backfield and is looking forward to it.
This will be Williams’s last season opener and he is excited and ready to go out and give it his all he’s got in his final season as an ECU football player.
In an earlier news conference, head coach Ruffin McNeil had said this week he emphasized the importance of 100% participation from the fans. Williams backed up what he said stating, “ I think it is definitely important to have the fans stay the whole game and keep cheering us on.”
Pirates first game kicks on September 5th against Towson at 6 p.m.
