With a cold front coming through the metroplex this past week, the football team enjoyed nicer conditions for their practices. And as the school year continues to dwindle away, the players continue to improve with every subsequent practice.
During this past week, the team made huge strides on both the offense and defense, eyeing the annual spring game next Friday, May 18th.
On Monday, the team, although sore and tired, took the field with a great mental attitude, due in part to the acquisition of several backups to key positions as the rugby and lacrosse seasons concluded.
On Tuesday, practice began with coach Brandon Hickman’s “Ranger Drill” – similar to the Oklahoma drill- to which a plethora of college scouts arrived on campus to observe .
Once the freshmen left practice that morning, the coaches got wonderful and desperately needed one-on-one time with the varsity squad. This helped them to incorporate new plays and aspects of the game that would be difficult to do with over one hundred players on the field.
Wednesday was a chance for special teams to get lots of reps at practice. The beginning of the day was dedicated solely to kickoff and kick-return drills. And despite the mundane exercises, players couldn’t be too dismayed because trainers Rick Martin and Osamu Moro, as always, brought Gatorade out for the team’s favorite day of the week – Gatorade Wednesday.
Thursday was probably the most fun for everyone. Already donning just shorts and tops for practice in preparation for Friday scrimmage, all players were treated to drumsticks, ice cream sandwiches, and popsicles- a token of appreciation for all of their hard work.
On Friday, rain caused the scrimmage to start out a little slow. However, the offense was able to overcome the weather and put something together. A long touchdown catch by WR/K Paul Arden ’13 sparked some offensive success in the midst of the defensive domination by LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni ’13 and DE J.D. Waggoner ’13. At the end of “Fun” Day, players got the chance to see a demonstration of Gaelic football- a preview of the culture the team will experience in Ireland next fall.
Coach Hickman continued to stress the importance of seizing the opportunities with a strong mentality, saying “hard work will win us games in the fall.”
Next week, the team will conclude their spring practices with the Spring Game on Friday. Come out and watch at 7:30 and cheer on your Ranger football team!
