3rd week of Chargers Spring Ball

With 2 more weeks left of spring ball for the chargers we’ve notice a lot from the team so far. One is learning not to give up on anything when the tough gets going. The chargers learned that in the 3rd week of spring ball were the defense and the offense keep on going back and forth and who is doing well each practice. Were one side the defense will be doing good and then the offense feels as if they need to put their heads down and feel like the world is over that shouldn’t be the case for the chargers. This week there was a lot going on were the defense went up against the offense with a lot of competition play. Usually when both sides go up against each other you always seem to find certain players that step up their game, or a player you wouldn’t expect at all play this well. We saw that this week especially on the defensive side from Cameron Terry, Tyrone Smith, Sam Mulipola, Mike Trujillo, and Julian Lee. On the offensive side one player who has been stepping his game a lot this spring has been running back Stavhn Leavy who has impressed the coaches a lot so far this spring. Leavy feels if he wants his side of the ball to succeed he will need to step up as a leader. “I can’t really explain it ...It was just kind one day I looked around and realized I’m an upper classman and I’m just like becoming an older brother, I don’t know how it happened but I know my responsibilities change as I grow. I’m also excited because we have a strong core group of guys who are more than willing and more of leading this team.” But u can’t give all the credit to Leavy just yet as his offensive line has improved a lot this spring, and have added couple of new faces to the line. Ted Soenksen the team’s offensive line coach feels his line could go along way by getting the job done and not missing their assignments. I talked to Head Coach Tom Rethman after to practice to see how the team is doing on their 3rd week of spring. “Thought both sides did some good things and both sides had some areas that needed improvement. I was a little disappointed in how our offense finished practice in doing there sprints, but I know next we do them it will be better.”

2nd week of spring ball BC

Week 2 of spring ball

The 2nd week of spring ball has wrapped up and the chargers already have gone through 6 practices were both sides of the ball have looked good so far. Being a defensive tackle for the defense with the new line up and leader on the d unit for the chargers Eric Bolin the chargers look to have a top 10 defense this year in the NAIA. The team finished 12th in total defense last year and with Jarrod Mackovicka, Taylor Schumacher, and Calvin Christophersen gone the chargers look at their young core on defense to step up. Defensive Coordinator Kyle Langhoff feels the team has a lot to accomplish this year and it they have to prove in spring ball to see if the defense will work next year. The main group on defense that’s returning for the chargers is the Defensive Line led by Adnan Kaspovic, Steve Urquidez, Brady Summers, Jeremy Schindler, Stan Bonsu, Josh Bosquet, and other members of the group. Coached by Anthony Thomas the chargers d line looks to be the leader not only for the defense but for the hold team as well. Kasapovic who’s been with the chargers for 3 years knows this could be the year the team could go over .500 and do a little bit more than that. “I know we have a solid team this year on our side of the ball, and I know the offense with Lehi, Chase, and Pro can make a lot of strides and surprise people, but this upcoming season to me is way more than just going .500.” Head coach Tom Rethman says he sees his team showing a lot of improvement during the 2nd week of spring ball. “I like the tempo of practice the defense is a little ahead of the offense, but it has been good to see some of the players we are expecting to step into the major roles and continue to grow.”

Briar Cliff Spring Ball Week 1

The Briar Cliff chargers started there 1st week of spring ball on Thursday after their 1st practice was cancelled due to the rain. The chargers look to improve on all sides of the ball including replacing the leading tackle in GPAC History Jarrod Mackovicka. On the offensive side of the ball the chargers loose 4 of their top offensive lineman and receiver Luke Roeder. On the flipside the Chargers were 12th in the nation on defense last year but look to fill 3 key position were there linebacker, free safety, and linebacker/strong safety. The defense returns the same defensive line as last year as the look to improve and make a statement this year. Head Coach for The Chargers Tom Rethman says this could be the year the chargers could go have a .500 record or better. The players and Rethman agree that this season can either make or break the chargers. I had a conversation with Rethman on players to watch this upcoming spring ball. “I don’t know if there is 1 particular player to watch for in spring this year, but I am interest in seeing how are young offensive linemen will develop this year.” Captains this year for the Chargers are Eric Bolin and returner Drew Prohaska. I asked Drew about how spring ball was going so far, “It’s still early but I’m excited about the potential I see so far, I’m excited to get outside and put the pads on.” Do you feel if your team doesn’t have a .500 record it will be a disappointing season for you guys? “Yes, I do feel it will be a disappointment we have improved every year with our win total. Are goals will be bigger than ever this year, and not achieving them this year will be a disappointment?”