Ben Blotner
Sports Editor
Wooster’s football players have been grinding away for weeks now in preparation for the 2017 season. As they go through daily offensive and defensive drills along with rigorous conditioning, the team is more than ready to take on the challenge ahead. “We’re definitely looking pretty solid. We have a lot of young players who have experience along with the good senior core,” said strong safety Nick Lines ’20.
Returning defensive players include cornerback Patrick Johnson ’18, defensive end Aaron Roberson ’18, and Lines. The offense is bringing back center Patrick Mohorcic ’18, offensive guard Clayton Geib ’18, offensive tackle Drake Schwenke ’18, and quarterback Gary Muntean ’18, among others. The offensive line is “definitely stronger than last year,” according to Justin Robinson ’20.
Robinson noted that while much of the offense is made up of the same personnel, these players have worked hard to become bigger and stronger in the offseason, and this should translate to increased success on the field.
A typical day of practice for the Fighting Scots consists of both running plays on the field and going through speed and agility training. For part of the day, the offensive and defensive players split off with their separate coaches and do their specialized work. The offense practices passing, receiving, and blocking, while the defense works on tackling. “We work on engaging the ball carrier, buzzing our feet and using good technique to secure a tackle,” said linebacker Nick Whaley ’20. During another part of practice, the offense and defense square off against each other in a scrimmage of sorts, with the offense attempting to gain first downs and the defense aiming to stop them.
At the end of practice, the players must do multiple sprinting drills. However, the offensive players are required to do one less sprint for each touchdown they score, and the defense gets a sprint knocked off for each successful stop. This provides the players with extra motivation to perform well in the scrimmages.
While the Scots work hard to fulfill their potential on the field, they are also having fun off of the field. “We have really good team chemistry. I think everyone gets along pretty well,” said Lines. According to Jacob Bueter ’20, the locker room has an “easygoing, laid-back environment.” The atmosphere, while always positive, differs significantly between practice days and game days. “Pregame is pretty intense,” Lines commented. “Everyone’s listening to music and getting ready. Practice is just like another day.”
Wooster’s first game will take place on Sept. 2, at home against Bluffton. While the team is taking the season “one game at a time,” Lines circled the Nov. 11 rivalry game against Wittenberg as one the players are particularly looking forward to.
“I think our season will go well. We are very competitive in practice and I think that will translate well against other teams,” Whaley proclaimed.