Spring football has been a success this year with four returning starters on offense and four on defense. Practices began April 22 and culminate at the May 15 spring football game at 7 p.m. at Chaparral Stadium.

“The best part about spring football is passhole because it gets me better every day as a football player,” safety junior Henry Smogur said. “Passhole is where the defensive backs go against the receivers and learn what different routes they run and pick each one.”

With seniors Leo Lowin and Sage Luther gone during spring football because of baseball, there are many young players who are stepping up. Getting varsity experience now prepares them for the fall season.

“Overall as a football player, I think I’ve gotten better at reading the offense and learning what my responsibility is,” linebacker junior Will McConnell said.

McConnell and junior Braden Duncan are filling in huge shoes at linebacker for graduating starters Jake Ehlinger and Ben Pankonien.

“My favorite drill during spring is 1 v 1s against the offensive line,” defensive lineman sophomore Nick Hogan said. “It’s my favorite drill because it’s competitive and it gets me better at rushing the quarterback.”

This is Hogan’s first year on varsity as an upcoming junior. He plans on filling in the shoes of graduating starters David Neil and Trellis Collins at defensive tackle.