After a four-month break, the football team is excited to get back to work and improve gameplay for the upcoming 2024 season. In preparation, the Vikings started their spring practices on April 7. The team has only had four practices, but Offensive Coach Keegen Johns said that he likes the direction the team is going in so far.
“It’s been fun for us as coaches just to kind of get back with the guys as they’ve been, working really hard in the weight room with our strength staff, and now being able to add a football element and back in the groove,” Johns said.
According to junior Anthony Clevenger, football provides an environment for athletes to improve every day at practice as well as build relationships.
“I think this will be good for chemistry just because our offense has a lot of people graduating,” Clevenger said. “Having these new guys come into this for this spring semester to help them gel will be good for both sides.”
Although the season has not officially started yet, these practices leave room for improvement and provide opportunities to grow. Defensive Coordinator, Dick Maloney, said he believes that the team will benefit from these preseason practices.
“You have 15 opportunities to have videos and teaching segments, ” Maloney said. “It’s nice because, in spring, you prepare for the team and practice and can tailor to the individual’s needs and what they need to work on what they’re good at and make it a review session for the older players and the current First-Year students. It’s almost like they can learn what we do with the techniques that we employ.”
When working together as a team, members hold each other accountable every day at their practice. Sophomore Nate Simon said one of his motivations to practice is to retain his current position on the team.
“Personally, one thing is always trying to get better because they’re going to be recruiting more guys next year,” Simon said. If you’re not pushing yourself, someone can easily take your spot. I’m a competitor; I like to win, so that helps drive me.”
Having a good mindset at practice translates into better performances on the field come game day.
“My mindset is kinda laid back, taking things one game, one play at a time, and trying to get better every day,” junior John Bolten said.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, players are eager to get back to work and improve and succeed. Last season, the team finished with a record 8-3 record and appeared in a playoff game. Simon believes that they are ready to get back to work.
“I think we’re going to be pretty good this upcoming year,” Simon said. “We have a lot of talent on offense and defense, and I think it’s just going to be good. I think we’re gonna win a lot of games with the team we got.”