The Alabama State football team is in the final stretch of its 2012 spring football practice schedule.
 
The Hornets practiced late Wednesday afternoon at Hornet Stadium as the countdown to Saturday's Black and Gold Game continues. The day begins with Hornet Fest at 10 a.m., a free event for the community that includes free food, music, kids' games, and activities.
 
“We got some good work in today,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “There are always guys that are flying around and making plays, and today it was some of the young receivers as well as some of our defensive guys. However, I felt like some of our leaders and players we are really counting on were feeling sorry for themselves, especially offensively. Hopefully they will be able to regroup, watch film and make corrections.”
 
Although the 2012 season opener is still more than four months away, Barlow is challenging his team to maintain the proper mindset in preparation and practice.
 
“We're not in in-season mode during the spring from a standpoint of a game at the end of the week, but it's always good to work on the mindset,” Barlow said. “If you're having a bad day, you have to find a way to snap out of it. We use the term 'one snap and clear'. For example - I just scored a long touchdown; what's the next play. I just fumbled the ball; what's the next play. Our players have to be able to adjust the mindset to understand we can't have a bad day, that I can't let my teammate down. If a player feels like he's lagging that day, he has to draw energy from a teammate.”
 
The Hornets will practice Thursday at 11 a.m. prior to Saturday's Black and Gold Game.
 

-HORNETS-