of attention

By Kevin Taylor

Butler County is becoming a recruit haven for college football coaches in the last two weeks.

Coaches have been to Georgiana all week to get a glimpse of Panther running back Zane Stackhouse.

And on their way down to see the Class 2A back of the year runner-up, they have been stopping by to see Greenville's blue-chip prospects in tailback Isiah Mack and offensive lineman Josh Hawkins.

The number of coaches visiting Greenville has been so high, Tigers head football coach Alvin Briggs has been carrying a small calendar with him with notes of which coach and from what school is visiting that day.

At 6-foot-8, Hawkins has been getting plenty of attention from colleges not only from across the Southeastern Conference, but across the country. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was supposed to be in Greenville on Thursday, said Briggs.

Stoops did not drop by during practice on Thursday, however, because of a scheduling conflict. Briggs said he does expect the Sooners coach to stop by practice at any time though.

While coaches have been visiting, Greenville has been sticking to the basics during spring drills.

"We've been teaching like we've never taught before," Briggs said. "Like I said before, we are using this time to get the fundamentals down because we won't have time to deal with it in the fall."

Although Briggs wouldn't mention any players by name, he did say he has seen notable improvement

along the offensive and defensive lines and at running back.

"They are showing signs of becoming good players," Briggs said. "When they are on the practice field, they go at it. And that's what you want as a coach."

But before the Battle of Butler County next Saturday in Georgiana, Briggs said he will need to fill some holes along the offensive line.

Hawkins obviously will be back to anchor the line at tackle, but the Tigers are looking to fill positions at the center, guard and other tackle spot. Briggs said he hopes to find a "steady" tight end.

"We want to find those kids who are scrappy, nasty and want to get after it," Briggs said. "That's where you win games is up front."

Just like the offensive line, Briggs hopes to fill three spots on the defensive line.