2014 SHORTER HAWKS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

ROME, Ga. – Head football coach Phil Jones and the Shorter Hawks coaching staff are always on the lookout for players who can help the program move forward.

On Friday morning during the first-ever tryout in the team's 10-year history they got an eyeful when than two dozen recently graduated high school seniors gathered at Ben Brady Field on Shorter's campus to grab the coaches' attention and have the opportunity to fill some of the open spots on the Hawks' 2014 roster.

"I thought this was a good thing to do to see some kids who haven't had the opportunity," Jones said about tryout, adding that several players stood out. "I hope some of them can find a way to come here. It was an impressive day."

After being greeted by Jones and assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Tim Mathis, the players were put through the paces, being timed in the 40-yard sprint and a pair of shuttle drills.

The group also gave the coaches a look at their agility and closed out the session with the linemen doing some bag work and the backs, receivers and defensive backs going one-on-one in a passing drill.

"We still haven't reached the number we want on the roster," Jones said about the 140-player roster the team carries, "but we feel certain we have that number of good student-athletes who can be a part of the program."

Jones and the Hawks' staff will now turn their attention to the first of two day-long Prospects Camps on Saturday, when more than 50 rising high school seniors and juniors arrive at Shorter to be evaluated starting at 8 a.m. going through timed drills in the morning and following a lunch provided by the Hawks return to Brady in the afternoon hold individual position drills.

The second Prospect Camp will be July 19.

On August 8, the Shorter campus on "The Hill" will welcome back the veteran and new Hawks when the team reports to begin its preseason camp on Aug. 10 and prepare for what is easily the program's toughest schedule ever with all 10 games against Division II foes.

The Hawks begin their 10^th campaign squaring off against three non-conference opponents, hosting Division II and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association newcomer Paine College of Augusta on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium.

The following week, Shorter hits the road for the first time when on Saturday, Sept. 13 the Hawks head to North Carolina for a non-conference rematch with Mars Hill, a game that sets the stage for what will be the longest trip the program has ever had to the largest stadium the team has ever played in.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Hawks will take the field at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas – the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium – to square off against Lone Star Conference member West Texas A&M for a 1 p.m. (Central) showdown in the annual Lone Star Football Festival that pits GSC members against Lone Star opponents.

That challenge will be the Hawks' third and final non-GSC game and after taking a week off, Shorter turns its attention to seven straight Gulf South matchups, the first taking place at Barron Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. against Mississippi College.

Shorter has three more homes games at Barron against West Alabama (Oct. 16), Florida Tech (Nov. 1) and West Georgia (Nov. 15), while the Hawks will be on the road to face Delta State (Oct. 11), Valdosta State (Oct. 25) and North Alabama (Nov. 8.)

Season and individual game ticket information can be purchased by going to www.goshorterhawks.com.