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closeSpring football takes center stage for Vikings
A multitude of Puyallup football players turn out for spring drills on the gridiron
Shaun Scott
Legendary Puyallup Vikings head football coach Tom Ingles was in a great mood despite overcast skies and scattered showers on the fourth day of spring football practice.
Ingles had a big reason to smile, considering his players were putting on the pads for the first time this spring for the opening day of contact football drills on June 5 at Riverside Elementary School in Puyallup.
“It’s always fun to get out here again. We’re (coaching staff) having fun and the players are having fun. This time of year rejuvenates everyone around here. I like it,” Ingles said as his team went through 7-on-7 drills. “Every year we see guys in the spring step it up; guys who are going to be seniors next year display leadership in preparation for the new season.”
Nearly 60 players in the junior and senior class practiced from June 2 through 5. The incoming sophomore class joined the Vikings for workouts from June 9 through June 11.
“We have several new kids out here that haven’t been out here before and it gives us a chance to take a look at them and evaluate our personnel,” Ingles said. “We get to see where we may fit the pieces to make our team as strong as we can. There’s a lot of shuffling going on right now.”
Ingles is excited about the addition of new defensive coordinator Gary Jeffers to the coaching staff. Jeffers previously was the defensive coordinator at Beamer High School and was a head coach at Washington High School in Parkland.
“We’re implementing a new defense,” Ingles said. “We run a 3-4 defense with an odd front. Last year we ran a lot of man-to-man coverages. This year we plan on implementing more zone packages and want to put more pressure on the quarterback. We’re not that big of a team but we’re quick. We’re going to use our speed to exploit opposing teams’ offenses.”
Vikings cornerback/wide receiver Justin Veltung was glad to get back on the gridiron with his teammates for the first time since last November.
“It’s great to be out here. I love this sport. Putting the pads on is just something else,” Veltung said. “The sounds, the noises of football are great. It’s fun to be out here with all of my buddies. We’re looking forward to this upcoming season.”
Offensive/defensive lineman Tyler Davis was licking his chops before Thursday’s padded-up practice.
“I love it. I’m ready for our team to go out their and kick some ass like we did last year,” Davis said. “All of us were ready to come out and play some ball. The intensity level is high out there.”
Davis said he was encouraged by the potential that younger players displayed during spring drills.
“Players are stepping up right now that haven’t gotten to that level before,” Davis said. “The light is going on earlier than usual. That’s a good sign for us.”
Spring football is just the first step in preparation for the 2008 season. The Vikings will attend passing camp at the University of Washington on June 20, as well as team camp at the University of Puget Sound from July 20-23. The fall season begins with practices in mid-August.