DOGGER SPRING: Dewey gridders display energy, focus during 1st week of May workouts
If industrial America made a canister that could bottle up human energy and store it, new Dewey High head football coach Rod Richardson might be one of the first in line to buy it.
He’s hoping the flood of rock-ribbed enthusiasm and fiery focus will carry on through the long summer of tedious Summer Pride weightlifting and conditioning.
“The energy level has been fantastic,” he said about the first three days of spring football practice this week. “The guys have really attacked the new system and bought into it. They’ve really gotten after it. There’s been good excitement. … We’re just scratching the surface to it.”
Richardson takes charge of a Dogger program that fell on hard times in 2020 and 2021, following a superb 2019 campaign that finished at 7-4 and included a playoff appearance. Prior to 2019, Dewey hadn’t won seven-or-more regular season games since 1994.
But, for a variety of previous well-chronicled reasons, Dewey tumbled to 3-7 in 2020 and 1-9 in 2021.
In both those seasons the Doggers boasted a strong mix of talent that appeared to be better than its win totals. A plague of injuries or suspensions to key players told part of the story.
But, this season is a clean slate and Richardson is counting on his battle-toughened veterans to lead the charge.
One of those in the front is third-year quarterback Trenton Muninger, a part-time starter in both 2020 and 2021.
“He has done a great job of leading us in practice and being steady and picking up the new system,” Richardson said.
But, unlike the last two years, when Muninger was part of a close two-man competition for the starting spot, he is the unquestioned No. 1 this spring.
“That’s been good for him,” Richardson said. “It’s just invaluable. He gets to take every snap right now. He doesn’t have to split them with anybody. That helps him get that much better,”
Muninger has picked up on his reads and keys quicker as well as the timing of the running game, Richardson added.
When it comes to the passing game, a quarterback depends heavily on his receiving rotation — an area that could have plenty of depth and options next fall.
“Colby Miller is our most experienced receiver,” Richardson said. The mix also could included Gavin Lackey, Dayton Master, Alex Whitson, Landon Finton, Zaiden Masters and Bryce Sickler.
Sickler also will be a back-up at quarterback. He garnered at least one start under center in 2020 while Muninger was injured.
“He’s (Sickler) going to provide some depth for us (at quarterback),” Richardson said. “But, I want him in a couple of other positions offensively and defensively and give him an opportunity to really compete for those spots.”
Early next week Dewey will finish up its spring session and then head to a team camp hosted by Cleveland High.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Focus on Dewey High football spring practice
