From staff reports

BOONE — Appalachian State football’s seventh practice of the spring included a lengthy scrimmage on Saturday morning at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The Mountaineers’ first extended scrimmage of the spring consisted of 141 plays (not including special teams) spread over various situational scenarios — first down and 10, third down and eight, red zone, goal line, etc.
The play of Appalachian State’s defense highlighted the scrimmage, as it limited the Mountaineer offense to 403 yards (2.9 per play) and forced six turnovers. Five of the defense’s six takeaways were interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns by linebackers Chris Shaffer and Michael Frazier. Defensive backs Henry Barnes, Anthony Covington and Rodger Walker also intercepted passes.
Perhaps the most impressive takeaway of the day came from junior defensive lineman Ronald Blair, who sacked quarterback Logan Hallock to force a fumble that he recovered himself early in the scrimmage. The play highlighted an outstanding day for Blair, who finished with five tackles for loss and three pass break-ups to go along with the sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Other defensive standouts included freshman linebacker Tashion Singleton, who tallied five tackles for loss, a sack and a pass break-up and senior linebacker Patrick Blalock, who made three stops behind the line of scrimmage and broke up two passes.
Offensively, senior wide receiver Andrew Peacock caught five passes for a team-high 82 yards, including an acrobatic 40-yard reception that was the Mountaineers’ longest gain of the day. Sophomore Sean Price added five catches for 49 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown during red-zone drills.
Hallock engineered the offense’s best series of the day when he completed 5-of-7 passes for 42 yards during a six-play, 66-yard touchdown drive midway through the scrimmage. First-team running back Ricky Fergerson accounted for 27 yards during the scoring drive, including an eight-yard reception and five rushes for 19 yards, and capped the series with a three-yard touchdown run.
Starting quarterback Jamal Londry-Jackson and top backup Kameron Bryant did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage as they both continue to rehabilitate knee injuries sustained last season.
Special teams were a highlight of the scrimmage, as place kickers Drew Stewart, Zach Matics and Mark Powell combined to go a perfect 9-for-9 on field-goal attempts.
Appalachian State has two more scrimmages scheduled this spring — next Saturday (April 13) at Ardrey Kell H.S. in Charlotte and the April 20 Spring Game at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Both events are free and open to the public and begin at 2 p.m.