Area teams hit gridiron for seven-on-seven passing camps
Teams take to field to answer depth questions
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
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| Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer
Fruitland running back Tommy Macfarlane (right) cuts across the middle for a catch while Ontario linebacker Marcus Marines sits back in coverage during Monday’s seven-on-seven passing camp at Fruitland High School. Payette, Ontario and Fruitland participated in the camp, and many potential stars were on full display. |
Fruitland—Three football teams stepped out on the grass for the first time in a long time.
Too long.
Yes, it’s football season and the monsters of the gridiron are back.
Monday afternoon at Fruitland High School, Fruitland, Ontario and Payette participated in the annual seven-on-seven passing camp.
Many questions remain, roster spots are being fought for and the coaches will use the upcoming month to whittle down the depth charts as they search and plug the right personnel in a quest for a state championship.
Ontario set out with a new look on offense, where productive staples Loren Stewart and Bryson Sap have been replaced by Frank Lopez in the backfield and Tad Anzaldua taking snaps.
Senior Jake Turner was on hand, so was newcomer Roger Garza, along with returners Nico Martinez, Joe Ronneburg and linebacker Marcus Marines.
“It’s a new group, but these kids have a lot of experience. They’re eager to learn. They’re ready to go. I think we’re going to do just fine,” Ontario’s first-year head coach Trever Wilson said.
Calling plays on offense was veteran coach Scott Helmick, and also on the sidelines lending some words of encouragement were assistants Derek Scudder and Brian Sap.
Wilson said this year the Tigers will have speed and depth at all the skill positions.
“The strength of our team is speed,” Wilson said. “At the skilled positions, we have a lot of speed. I think it’s going to help. We are going to be able to do a lot of things with a lot of different areas, not just tailback, which we have done the last couple of years with Loren. We have a sweeper, fullback, tailback and we have receivers that can run and catch. You’re not just going to key one position. We’re going to be a well-rounded team.”
Fruitland starts out the new season with a quarterback battle, with R.J. Edwards and Caldwell High School transfer Dillon Stringfield each taking repetitions. The duo has some shoes to fill with the departure of the graduated Kaleo Nawahine.
“Those two guys are playing for that spot. I think it will be a good battle. They each bring strong points to this team,” Fruitland head coach Bruce Schlaich said. “Now it is up to them to distinguish themselves as the clear front-runner.”
The Grizzlies have a multitude of weapons to use with Mark Saldivar, Nick Varriale, Zack Fabricius, Kody Olinger and Tommy Macfarlane. Fabricius did not participate due to an injur, but was on hand to lend emotional support.
Caleb Crim missed the action due to his participation at a football camp at Princeton University. Schlaich noted that the backfield will be the strength, but the depth will be limited to five ball carriers. One player Schlaich is anxious to get on the field is the speedster, Macfarlane.
Macfarlane has bulked up in the weight room and tips the scales early on at 195 pounds. Schlaich anticipates Macfarlane will come through with a high impact, productive season at the running back position.
“I think Tommy is going to surprise a lot of teams this year,” Schlaich said. “He’s here in great shape and has a chance to do some big things for us.”
While Fruitland and Ontario were working in new signal callers, Payette strolled out veteran Travis Blackwell, who is coming off a 2007 season where he earned second-team all-league honors. The junior enters his second full season at quarterback, and Gleave has high expectations for his quarterback.
“The expectation comes with the territory,” Gleave said. “He started the last four games as a freshman, started every game last year as a sophomore. His expectations are really high. I’m going to have him do different things. He will be looked upon to take more of a leadership role, and we will hand him different parts of the offense he has never seen before.”
Alex Mackey was behind Blackwell in the backfield, and Damian Reynolds took some snaps in all areas from slot to running back.
Both will have major roles on the offense as will another new sight in camp, Tyler Kuder, who was an offensive lineman a year ago. Kuder was rumbling about Monday, running routes as a tight end. Gleave said the position change is in its infancy at this point.
“That’s kind of an experiment for now,” Gleave said. “First and foremost, he’s a dominant guard. We like lighting up the kid lined up across him. If we have an opportunity where we have the kids to put on the line, we can put him out there.”
Garrett Grotheer and Tobby White were also inserted onto the field, making acrobatic catches as receivers.
Gleave said he uses the early summer to plug in pieces on both sides of the ball and to look at the personnel on the roster.
“For us, we’re evaluating the talent and skill level and trying out different kids, moving people where they fit, how they fit and how do we best use them where they fit in. We will try to put kids out here and there and see where they can be used,” Gleave said.
Another passing camp is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Payette High School. La Grande, Weiser, Nyssa, Payette, Ontario and Fruitland are scheduled to attend.
