FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – With five practices down and 10 to go for the NAU football team in spring ball, preparation for the 2013 season is in full force as the Lumberjacks work their way toward a nationally televised spring game on April 27.
“We’re five practices into spring workouts, and this time of the year we’re working on a lot of fundamentals and a lot of technique,” NAU head coach Jerome Souers said. “I’ve been pleased with the progress we’ve made so far, and our coaching staff – with so few changes in the offseason – has really been a plus. The players are following right in behind that lead, so it’s been great to see the progress our guys have made.”
The team opened spring practice last Tuesday and has operated on a Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday schedule featuring three two-hour sessions each day. NAU will have its first formal scrimmage next Friday, April 12, and will conduct 14 total practices before its spring game at 2:30 p.m. April 27 in Lumberjack Stadium, which will be televised live on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX College Sports Pacific.
“We set it up so we have a day off in between (practices), and so we can go a little more aggressively when we do practice and then we have more time to study the film and completely analyze every drill that we’re taking out here,” Souers said. “Our model is built for teaching, it’s built for learning, and it’s about getting the basics and fundamentals squared away.”
The last two weeks have presented the first opportunities for NAU’s new leadership to step up in the absence of 15 soon-to-be graduated seniors. That ascension and development of new team leaders is as critical in spring ball as the physical aspects of drills and scrimmages, according to Souers.
“With the seniors gone you do miss the leadership, but we have leadership development going on now,” Souers said. “We have leaders stepping into new roles and we also have less game preparation going on now, so we’re able to focus on the details and take our time.”
Among the most critical leadership voids to fill following the 2012 season is at quarterback, where two-year starter Cary Grossart is no longer taking snaps after his collegiate career came to an end fall. Chase Cartwright, Jordan Perry and Kyren Poe are battling to assume Grossart’s role.
“It’s competitive; all three are really good athletes and really good quarterbacks,” Souers said. “Chase Cartwright is at the head of the game mentally, as he’s been in the system longer and he knows his way around. His only detriment is that he’s still recovering from his knee surgery last fall, but I will say that he’s ahead of schedule and he’s looking great.
"The younger quarterbacks have been able to get more involved with the team, and I think Jordan Perry and Kyren Poe are doing a great job learning the ropes and figuring out the system. (The competition) is pretty intense, and they’re going against a really good defense, so it’s been fun to watch.”
One-third of the way into the spring season, Souers sees strong progress from his team, which looks to turn a stellar 8-3 2012 season into a Big Sky championship and postseason run in the fall.
"We’re real pleased as a group,” Souers said. “We have to stay healthy; we have a few guys dinged here and there, but thankfully nothing long term. While we’re practicing this hard and this intensely, we need to make sure to take care of ourselves, but right now we’re on track.”
