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Unity at forefront as Wolves wrap up spring ball
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@acnpapers.com
Unlike the games in the fall they eventually build to, there is no set-in-stone formula on how to conduct spring football.
But as different as the practice may be, the hopeful results are all the same as teams endure the first phase in the trek to the 2011 season. In the case of Plano West, cohesion took center stage Thursday as the Wolves concluded their spring season with the last of four controlled scrimmages.
“My philosophy isn’t about dividing up and playing a game,” said Mike Hughes, West head coach. “We’re trying to push unity and togetherness. Everything we do, whether it’s ones against ones or ones against twos, we play to make sure everyone gets better.”
“We had a good spring and a physical one, at that,” Hughes said. “We had a few injuries, nothing major, but a few bumps and bruises. With spring, you get four weeks to evaluate your young guys; I feel like we did that and I like where we’re at as a team.”
Playing in the same climate of the team’s three previous scrimmages, with no game clock, score or kickoff work, the Wolves took turns starting from their own 30-yard line and working forward, resetting in any circumstance that would warrant a punt. Mixing and matching between starting and reserve units, quarterback play was a prominent fixture of any offensive series. Those duties were spread between Nick Christensen, Travis Korry and Luke Cashman, as starting quarterback Carson Smith was inactive.
Other offensive notables not in action for the team’s spring finale were primary rusher Tim Okposin and receiver Carlos Wiggins.
“Those guys have a couple bumps and bruises, but we know what they can do,” Hughes said. “They’re good players and they played all last season. Really, spring isn’t for those guys and it’s a time for us to evaluate our younger talent.”
In Smith’s case, Christensen opened the first few series, spreading the ball around to targets Nathan Orbach, Zach Moore and Blake Ligon; primarily with a 21-yard strike down the seams to the latter.
The Wolves’ scoring charges weren’t sparked until the latter portions of the scrimmage. Big plays were the order of the day, as four consecutive drives resulted in touchdowns. Cashman got the ball rolling, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to find Zac Gideo alone behind the coverage for a 70-yard touchdown.
Not to be left out, Korry showcased his efforts in the air and on the ground, connecting on a 50-yard score to Nick Casten and later adding a 55-yard touchdown run.
Running back Sean Sojdie got rolling with a 30-yard run shortly afterward, a spurt welcomely complemented by a 10-yard touchdown after being set up in the red zone on a lengthy sprint by Cashman.
“I was very pleased with our quarterbacks tonight,” Hughes said. “We turned the ball over a couple times and while I wasn’t pleased with that, I liked how our defense looks like it’s coming around.”
Defensively, the Wolves managed a measure of havoc with their pass rush. Derdrick White spearheaded the effort, complemented on the front seven by the Bryce Cottrell, Mike Mitchell and Jake Wodka.
“I think our linebackers and our secondary has (found an identity),” Hughes said. “We’ve got to find some defensive linemen who are physical. I thought guys like Derdrick White had a good spring, but we’ve got some work to do to come together to get ready for the teams we’ve got to play.”
With defense holding serve for the first half of the scrimmage and the offense returning the favor in the end, a 1-yard touchdown run by Antonio Wright capped the festivities and set the wheels in motion for the team’s six-week summer program.
“We’ve got to continue to work hard all summer,” Hughes said. “At this level, if you don’t, then you’re not going to be successful. This is a year-round deal now, where we’ll get a little time off and then start hitting it again.”
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