Around the Yard : It’s Lax Season, Baseball Previews and More!

There was lots of big news this week across the service academy athletic departments, the biggest of which was covered by our very own staff here at Against All Enemies (AAE). I won’t steal their thunder, but we will take look at some of the other stuff happening Around the Yard.

Army:

NC State Snags Army AD to lead Wolf Pack Athletics

Army is looking for a new Athletic Director after Boo Corrigan left and is heading for the big leagues in the ACC.

Our very own AAE Site Manager Justin Mears covered it here.

New Army Offense Quality Control Coach

Matt Drinkall is walking away from a very successful five years as head coach at Kansas Wesleyan where he led the Coyotes 42-17 during his tenure and heading to West Point.

As Offense Quality Control Coach, Drinkall will be responsible for scouting opposing teams’ defensive tendencies. Specifically, they chart a team’s trends during down and distance situations, field positions and what personnel are used in specific packages.

Kedrin Jefferson Named Patriot League Athlete of the Week

Jefferson posted an adjusted time of 21.12 in the 200m at the indoor Army Star Meet Victory over Navy this week. Jefferson set the season record for the Patriot League and is good enough to be ranked 34th nationally. For his efforts Jefferson has been recognized as the Patriot League Athlete of the Week.

Navy:

American Athletic Conference Releases 2019 Football Schedule.

We have our 2019 Navy Football schedule and it’s looking pretty favorable if you are a Navy fan. AAE’s Mitch Northam breaks it down for you right here. Of note: Navy Kicks off the 2019 season against Holy Cross at home; they also switch back to the other half of the AAC East for the next two years. Navy is also heading to South Bend to face off against Notre Dame in November.

Navy Men’s Lax Opens Regular Season

Navy Men’s Lax is officially back in action this weekend as they faceoff against Vermont at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy is just ahead of Vermont in the pre season media poll, although neither teams cracked the top 20 they were both included among those receiving votes. Needless to say a win this weekend will be a great start to the 2019 season for the Mids.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out our Navy Lax preview from last week, you can read it here.

USA Baseball list Song on Pre Season Golden Spikes Watch List

If you haven’t been paying attention to Navy Baseball, you probably haven’t heard about Navy Senior Noah Song. This Week USA Baseball named Song to the prestigious Golden Spikes watch list. This is only the third time a Navy player has been named to the list. This follows the in the wake of Song also being named a preseason third team All American.

Song posted a spectacular 1.92 ERA in 14 starts last season and struck out 121 batters over 89 innings allowing only .178 BA to opposing teams. It’s surprising he only went 6-5 last season, especially when you learn he pitched 4 shutouts last year in 14 games.

Although pitchers and catchers are showing up to their MLB teams in less than a week for spring training, Navy starts it’s regular season next Friday in North Carolina.

Air Force:

Men’s Lax Starts the Season Against #8 Denver

Air Force Lacrosse also kicks off their season against rival neighbors and #8 ranked Denver on Saturday at UD. This will be the 28th meeting between the two programs, and Denver has a commanding 21-6 lead.

2019 will be Bill Wilson’s first season as the official head coach of the program, although he has been on the Air Force staff in various capacities for nearly a decade.

Make sure you take a look at Scott Lopez’ AF Lax preview here.

All-Academy Gymnastics Tournament

All three men’s gymnastics teams will faceoff in the All-Academy Championships in Annapolis this weekend. Navy is ranked 10th nationally, Army is 12th, and Air Force is 13th. Air Force has won the last eight championship meetings between the Service Academy rivals.