NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State is missing so many interior linemen due to injuries that the Demons will go through a shorter-than-planned intersquad spring football scrimmage Saturday morning in Turpin Stadium, but to some degree, that’s good news, said coach Scott Stoker.

“None of the injuries are major. Nobody should miss any time in August. We’re limited in some of the things we can do now because we only have so many guys up front, but on the other hand, this is giving a lot more opportunity to some younger players who will be ready to play for us quicker than they otherwise might have been,” he said.

The Demons will have a 30-35 play scrimmage at the end of their practice Saturday morning, with the scrimmage starting about 10:15 in Turpin Stadium, he said. It will be the 11th practice of 15 spring workouts for NSU.

“It’s frustrating not having so many of our top players, but looking at the big picture this will make us a stronger team next fall,” said Stoker. “In a lot of cases, we’re without guys who already have proven they can play winning football for us, some of our top players like (receiver) Derrick Doyle, (defensive end) Ed Queen and (All-America defensive tackle) Tory Collins. Giving younger players like (receiver)Shayne Magee and (defensive tackles) Kendall Rodrigue and Scott Wattingly more time now will pay off for us later.”

Among the injuries is a broken tip on the right (throwing) thumb of projected starting quarterback Ricky Joe Meeks, who may not be able to complete spring drills when the Demons stage the 17th annual Joe Delaney Bowl next Saturday afternoon. Sophomore walk-on Roch Charpentier has sparkled in his place, said Stoker.

“He’s got some bounce in his step out there and he’s doing a real good job executing,” said Stoker, noting the Lafayette-Teurlings Catholic product is 20 for 27 for 225 yards and four touchdowns in two spring scrimmages.  “He’s been a real pleasant surprise. If Ricky Joe didn’t get hurt, Roch would still be challenging him. It will be a good competition in fall camp.”

Among  the other young players emerging, said Stoker, are offensive linemen Marcus Washington and Troy Phan, linebacker Darious Perkins, Blake Delcambre and Mack Dampier and tailback Patrick Earl. Former tailback Anthony Holmes has also shined in his move to linebacker.