After a great 2012 campaign, a campaign that featured a trip to Ireland and a brief playoff run, the Jesuit Rangers football team is wrapping up a successful spring football season.
The spring practices and the spring game are crucial for team development as the players build strength, speed, and all-around skills, components that the Rangers have drastically improved on. This year’s spring is especially important because of the departure of the star seniors on the 2012 roster. The class of 2012 class had nine players commit to play collegiate football, all at top-talent schools. With such talented seniors leaving, the underclassmen must prepare to replace these crucial players.
However, do not expect the Rangers to disappoint as the spring has greatly enhanced their ability to be competitive next year. “I feel our team has progressively improved during spring football in many areas,” commented head coach Brandon Hickman. “We have great competition out there and our team is growing up and learning our schemes offensively, defensively, and on special teams.” With these skills improving, Jesuit hopes to dominate on both sides of the ball.
The team, however, will not be the same as last year’s because every season is different. As Hickman describes, “I feel our overall depth is good which we have lacked the past few years. As a staff we wanted to be a more physical football team and I believe we have accomplished that. We still have room to get better in that area, but I like what we have seen so far. We will be inexperienced in a couple of spots, but we feel that our younger guys will step up and accept the challenge.”
Spring is also the perfect time for underclassmen to earn their shot at a starting spot. In some cases, current freshmen and sophomores could beat out current juniors for positions, depending upon their overall skill and experience. “Some players have been working their way up through the program…they have patiently waited for their chance and now it’s here,” said Hickman, revealing the potential youth we could see on the field this fall.
The Rangers are not your average bunch, though, because ideals such as the magis, striving for the more, are woven into their DNA. Hickman expressed how “our players work extremely hard…the energy and effort have been exciting to see this spring. They come to practice with enthusiasm and a great attitude every day. They want to get better and are eager to learn, which makes coaching these guys really exciting and fun.”
The coaching staff will also be a bit different from last year’s. Billy Thompson was recently hired in the offseason as the new defensive coordinator. Hickman, who played football alongside Thompson at Texas Christian University, described him as “a very detailed football coach who will bring great passion and intensity to our program.” Thompson will also be wearing his slacks and tie in the hallways as he serves as one of Jesuit’s superb English teachers.
This year’s spring football season featured numerous practices, weight room and film sessions, and three scrimmages. However, the offseason does not stop at the spring; the training picks back up in the summer. In addition, the Rangers will play 7-on-7 and participate in lineman challenges during the month of June. Coach Weeks, Director of Athletic Performance, will also play a prominent role in the summer by improving the team’s strength, agility, speed, and conditioning. The summer is also a great time to build team chemistry. All of these elements are key stepping stones to being successful come the regular and post seasons. With all of this preparation, the Rangers are shaping up for another exciting year.
The spring season will conclude with the annual Blue and Gold game on Friday, May 17, where all of the Rangers will emerge victorious. Go out and support your Rangers!
