WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - West Virginia University's spring football game is a little different.
It is not like that of Ohio State, which set a national record with over 100,000 in attendance. It is not like that of Georgia, which drew 93,000.
On Saturday, under a mix of clouds and sunshine, folks made their way to The Greenbrier, passing sign after sign publicizing resort owner and gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice. Once at the facility, which houses the New Orleans Saints' training camp, fans were treated to a fair-like atmosphere, complete with concession stands selling lemonade, sausage, ribbon fries and pizza.
Around 6,000 fans showed for the Mountaineer scrimmage and all went according to the script. Quarterback Skyler Howard performed well. The defense led for most of the day. Then, like always it seems, the scoring gets a little hinky toward the end and the offense wins, this time by a score of 49-46.
Within, though, there was a twist befitting one of the big pretzels. See, throughout the spring, redshirt junior Jon Lewis was running with the first-team offense at tight end. However, on Saturday, lo and behold, there was Lewis lining up with the first-team DEFENSE as an end.
"A little different role," Lewis said afterward. "Coach [Bruce] Tall came and talked to me on Thursday and said they need some help at D-line. I've been trying to expand my role on the team to try and help any way I can."
He smiled.
"It was a little bit of a throwback. It was fun."
Lewis, a University High guy from Morgantown, had moved over at the beginning of spring to help fill a gap at tight end.
"The guys were getting on me, like, 'Traitor!' " Lewis said. "It was like that all week. It's been fun."
So instead of lining up beside guys like offensive tackles Yodny Cajuste and Marcell Lazard, Lewis was lining up against them.
"You feel like it's a war between two sides," he laughed.
Actually, Lewis is a winner on whichever side he plays. He was introduced before the game as the winner of the Tom Nickolich Memorial Award, symbolic of exemplary work as a walk-on.
"It means my work isn't going unnoticed," Lewis said. "I can use it as a steppingstone."
Lewis used it in part to earn a scholarship for this spring. ("It helps out a lot," he said. "I wasn't aware I was going to be on scholarship. I was going back and forth trying to figure out what to do. I got the [scholarship] in the day before I could still cancel [a loan].")
But let's go back to his position. Lewis is using his work as a steppingstone - to where exactly?
"I think I'm still in the mix [at tight end]," he said. "We lost two tight ends to graduation and needed help at that spot. I learned it and was in the role for six weeks. I still think I'm going to do that."
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson acknowledged that's the plan. Regular defensive nose tackle Darrien Howard was at his grandmother's funeral on Saturday, so usual defensive end Christian Brown moved to tackle and Lewis jumped in.
That, by the way, paved a path for another Morgantown product, scholarship redshirt freshman Stone Wolfley of Morgantown High, to get reps as the first-team tight end.
"He's a kid that will give his all when he goes out there," Lewis said. "When we watch film we critique ourselves even more [than the coaches]. We'll be on each other. We'll say, 'Hey, you need to be lower.' We'll say, 'Your steps aren't right.' "
So far, all of those taken by Lewis have been right. He's landed at least a scholarship for now. He's landing playing time.
We'll just have to see which player ends up starting at tight end. Will it be Lewis? Will it be Wolfley? Or will it be junior college transfer Trevon Wesco? Wesco hits Morgantown in the fall.
It bears watching. Because the position, like the scrimmage, is just a little different.
n If you want yet another impact performance from a Morgantown kid, Shane "Lionel Richie" Commodore, a safety from Morgantown High, had two interceptions on the day, including one returned for a 35-yard score.
"Growing up he was always on the opposite side, even in middle school," Lewis said of Commodore. "I was really happy for him today though. I saw him and said, 'OK, Shane, I see you.' I'm happy for him. I said, 'You should have got that award more than me!' "
n Howard has firmly entrenched himself as the Mountaineers' starting quarterback. He looked very sharp Saturday, save for an Antonio Crawford pick.
What's interesting, though, is the backup spot. Chris Chugunov has been listed at No. 2, but missed the scrimmage and Will Crest had a very nice day.
Crest ripped off a hard run, then went deep to impressive freshman Marcus Simms for a score that was called back. Crest ran for 28 yards and then zipped a bullet pass to Simms for a real score. I asked WVU coach Dana Holgorsen if he's definitely decided on a No. 2 quarterback.
"I don't know," he said. "Will has been showing some really good things. Chugs has been showing some really good things. Chugs can sit in the pocket and probably throw the ball more accurate than anyone. It's still a work in progress."
n And finally ...
Holgorsen slipped something interesting in his post-scrimmage remarks.
"We had over 6,000 people here," he said. "When we pulled up two hours before, people were everywhere. It gets the guys juiced up. ... I hope we can continue to come down [to The Greenbrier] for the spring game for many years to come."
The decision bears watching for the economic impact alone.