We are a much stronger football team this May. Last year we only had about 15 kids test at award level in terms of strength and that number stood at 29 this May. There were also about a half-dozen kids who due to injury were not able to test but we feel were positioned to reach competitive strength. It starts here.
Our team speed is good on defense but we are not very big. Fast would always be my first choice. Injury kept the two LBs who started the Catholic game out, but it left a window for the other kids to work at the position and improve. Scottie Littles has made good progress here and football is very important to him. We anticipate having Travis Gantt and Damien Ward back if they continue to make good academic progress this summer. The young defensive linemen who played last year have all added quality weight and, both here and in the secondary, we feel we can have depth to keep our kids playing at a high speed thoughout games. This will be important because our inability to contain explosion (20 yard plus plays) was a big issue in 2008. If we make people earn it the long way I think we have enough speed and playmakers on defense to make things tough on opponents.
On offense we kept the QB position competitive and the group showed improvement. Nothing will be decided here until after the first week of camp. It will not be the 7-on-7 decision it was a year ago. Our skill positions are solid and although the offensive line is razor thin and undersized they are a hard working group. Matt Gammon made an unselfish move there from defense and has helped out. The summer progress of a couple of these kids will be critical. We do not have plan B’s here so what is in house has to improve. Any interior linemen of significance in the incoming class will get a look here as it would be his shortest route to the field. Our two senior tight ends, if healthy, are a match-up problem in this league we have to use. WR position is deep and opens up the possibility of even asking Julius Delbridge who is back to move to defense if he is needed there for a season. Though not his first choice, he will be a team guy about it if necessary for a season.
I get a lot of questions about recruiting and by the end of May we should be able to wrap up loose ends here. Guys on the line of scrimmage are hard to come by and I anticipate that our numbers will be good, but will not be able to answer quality questions until August.
I was asked about number of players who stay around campus during the summer months to work and work-out together? We would love to have kids here but unlike Division I where they can make kids stay and provide summer school opportunities for their kids we cannot do these things. One of the difficult things about Division III is the most critical months of season preparation (summer) for the most part the kids are on their own. Although we have about 20 or so kids who work on campus, in the area, or go to summer school over the next 3 months and work very hard together, for the most part, this becomes a personal choice for kids. They know they will be tested when camp starts but I have never believed you can scare kids into the right choice. We try to keep in close contact with our kids in summer, but the good ones will do the work-outs they have requested and taken home with them.
In May I will finalize staff appointments and have one final restricted earnings (seasonal appointment to fill). Will make an announcement when this is finalized.
Go BC,
Coach Clark
