The Lion’s Roar / Ian Fischer
As the Lion’s football team prepared for their third scrimmage, the Spring Game and a comeback year, they focused on hammering out rough edges.
The Lion’s had a rough 2015 season plagued with injuries finishing with a 4-7 overall record, 3-6 Southland Conference record.
Before the spring practices opened, Lion’s Head football Coach Ron Roberts said he would use the time during spring practices to get red shirts and new players up to speed. After a few weeks of practice, two scrimmages and preparing for the third, Roberts was focusing on sharpening the Lion’s performance on the field.
“We got to limit the mistakes from the last one,” said Roberts. “We got into it physically pretty good right before we went into Spring Break. But it’s important we come out here and eliminate the minimal mistakes from the last time we got on the field.”
The secondaries, receivers and running backs on the team have experienced significant change this year and according to Roberts, he was looking forward to the third scrimmage to clear it up.
“We’re really looking for somebody to step up in those three groups,” said Roberts. “Hopefully on Saturday we’ll see some things. We’ve seen some guys do it, but we’re trying to see who does it on a consistent basis.”
With new defensive backs on the team, he said they have talent and potential, but he is looking for more from them.
“Potential is not really a good thing for a player,” said Roberts. “Potential means you haven’t responded yet. We’re looking for guys that can actually get it done on a production basis and consistently.”
Junior defensive back and business major Ryan Sigers said the Lion’s older defensive players are helping the younger players with filling gaps created by replacements.
“With coach Rob being the [defensive] coordinator, we’re really coming together,” said Sigers. “We’re replacing a lot of guys so it’s a lot of opportunity to step up.”
Sigers played 13 games in 2014 making two interceptions and 11 games in 2015.
Spring practices will end with the annual Spring Game in the Strawberry Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. Sigers said the defense has surprises for the offense.
“Similar to last year, a lot of people want to see points on the board,” said Sigers. “As the defense, we’re not going to let that happen.”
Junior and offensive lineman Cyrus Ekugwum responded.
“We’re going to take it head on, you know,” said Ekugwum. “We’re ready for anything they’re going to throw our way.”
According to Ekugwum the team is healthy and ready from the strength and conditioning program.
Sophomore Quarterback Donovan Isom and Senior Quarterback D’Shaie Landor both threw touchdown passes at the third scrimmage last Saturday. The scrimmage was just under 100 plays in two hours. Roberts said both sides dominated each other.
The Lion’s football first regular season game will be against Oklahoma State next September.
“I can’t wait,” said Sigers. “It’s a redemption year. We got a lot of doubters and a lot of naysayers, but we’re just focusing in on what Coach Rob’s saying.”