Jeremiah happy to be practicing

By:  Steve Behr

Watauga Democrat

Published:  April 5, 2000

Appalachian State quarterback Daniel Jeremiah has come a long way since last spring.    During a scrimmage in spring practice last year, Jeremiah dropped back to pass. A lineman rolled into his leg and the impact sent Jeremiah down to the Kidd-Brewer Stadium turf.    The quarterback had just torn the medial-collateral ligament in his right knee. Instead of finishing spring practice, Jeremiah was out for the spring.    It's why Jeremiah, who will be a senior next year, doesn't mind practicing football while other Appalachian State students are enjoying the springlike weather that hit Boone at least during last week. Just being able to play again is why he's looking forward to Saturday's spring football game, which starts at 1 p.m.    "I didn't get the chance to play in it last year, so I'm looking forward to it," Jeremiah said. "It's nothing like playing in a game when it counts, but it's good for spring practice. I'm excited to get out there."    Of course, Jeremiah has more reason to be excited about spring this year. On March 11, he married the former Merae Cox.    "Either good or bad, I can go home with a smile on my face," he said. "She understands that she doesn't get to see me as much in football season. It's a good thing that in spring we practice three days a week, so it's not like it's a constant grind. She's very understanding and supportive."    Jeremiah will need any support he can get since he is locked in a tight battle at the quarterback position. He was the starter toward the end of last season after taking over for David Reaves midway through the year.    But this year, Jeremiah and Reaves have been joined by Joe Burchette, who spent most of last season carrying a clipboard on the sidelines. Burchette, who stands 6-foot-4, will be a sophomore next season and has the strongest arm of the quarterbacking trio.    "Joe has had a good spring," Jeremiah said. "He's progressing and growing as a quarterback. It's helping me and David. There used to be just the two of us to push each other. Now Joe has stepped it up and we all feed off of each other."    Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said Jeremiah is benefiting from spring practice and said it hurt Jeremiah when he had to spend all of last summer rehabilitating his injury.    "I think he got behind, he lost six weeks of just throwing," Moore said about last year. "He's going to stay here all summer this year and he should be fine."    Jeremiah said whoever emerges as the quarterback will most likely have more passing to do. A quick glance at the receiving talent pool would explain why. The Mountaineers return starter Rashad Slade at receiver and though all-Southern Conference receiver Daryl Skinner is gone, Joey Gibson, who was second team all-Southern Conference two years ago, returns.    Gibson injured his knee during the 1998 season and received an injury red-shirt last year. Running back Troy Albea, who established himself as one of the Mountaineers' big-play weapons, has also been moved to receiver from running back.    The Mountaineers also converted receiver Daniel Wilcox from wide receiver to an H-back who lines up in the slot.    "I think we're balancing it out a bit," Jeremiah said. "We're really spreading the field out, we're using a lot more four-wide (formations)."    Jeremiah said he is not concerned about who will be the starter coming out of spring practice, saying that's a decision for the ASU coaching staff. Instead, his main goal is to come out of spring healthy.    "I'll be ready to go in the fall," Jeremiah said.    "The coaches will decide what they want to do then."