With spring practice wrapping up at the end of this week, the 2008 Otterbein football team is seeking consistency as they fine-tune their system. "The number one goal for spring practice is for everyone to learn their position better. We do not put the pads on for the spring so it is more mental than physical," said coach Joe Loth. "Our goals for next fall are to improve all three phases of our football team: offense, defense and special teams." Returning quarterback Jack Rafferty is pleased with the way the team has come together during the off-season. Rafferty said the main objective during spring ball was getting everyone to know their assignments, increasing the intensity and mastering the system. "The dedication and hard work that everyone has put in over the last couple of months seems to be paying off," said Rafferty. "I think that if we can keep our positive attitude through the summer, and continue to work hard, we will put ourselves in a good position once the season comes around." The team has some holes to fill with the graduation of a productive senior class. Wide receivers Scott DeLong and Josh Bope will be graduating this year. Delong finished fourth in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) for all-purpose yardage, averaging 105.3 yards a game. Bope finished with an average 49.8 all-purpose yards a game. Junior defensive linemen Mark Vuich feels the graduating seniors will be missed, but trusts the rest of the team to fill their leadership roles. "We have had a great group of guys waiting in the wings to take their vacated spots," said Vuich. "The people that will be stepping up into those spots have learned from the guys leaving and are just as talented if not more so." The Cardinals will return many play makers, including Vuich, Rafferty, senior offensive linemen Andy Fries, senior linebacker Eric Burnsides and junior running back Eric Yates. Head coach Joe Loth feels the incoming seniors have a tremendous amount of potential and a chance to compete in the OAC. The return of several key offensive players gives the team hopes of continuing the success the Cardinals had last year with the number two offense in the OAC. "For the offense, the sky is the limit," said Vuich. "They have worked hard and improved so much that it will be very exciting to watch them take the field." With the defensive line coming off an up-and-down season, they are looking to get solid up front. "From the work we've put in the weight room and the way our concentration has been throughout spring ball, we should surprise a lot of people and teams with the vast improvements we've made," said Vuich. During spring ball the team has stressed the importance of special teams. "We are trying some different things on some of our special teams that I hope we can find success with," said Fries. "When it comes down to it, it is a total team effort out on the field." With spring ball coming to a close, the team will be hitting the weight room this summer. The Cardinals will be working with programs that the coaches have designed to increase their speed and strength. "We will spend a good amount of that time working on the techniques that we've learned. It will also be a good time to bond with everybody dedicated to being around during the summer months," said Vuich. The expectations for this team are great. "As a whole, the team expects to be one of the best, if not the best, in the OAC," said Fries. The Cardinals finished 5-5 last season overall and had a 5-4 record in the OAC. The coaching staff's tenure combined with the team's dedication and talent should put the 2008 Otterbein football team on the brink of a breakout season. t&c;
Football never breaks
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