TUPATALK: Blast from the past
(Note: A reprint of part of a Bartlesville High football report from 2011.)
Although the season opener is still 15 weeks away, Bartlesville High’s varsity football program is taking aim during spring practice on autumn success.
Judging by the first week of full-pad workouts, the Bruins appear to be on target.
“We were very pleased with the way the first week of spring practice went, and no injuries, which is the most important thing,” said Bruin head coach Ron Smith. “We saw some tremendous improvement in some guys, which is exciting.”
At the same time, Smith and his staff have apparently filled the glaring holes on the offensive line left vacated by graduation.
Juniors Cody Rutherford and Anthony Hennessey have pushed themselves to the top of the depth chart at the guard positions.
“They really increased their strength over the winter and in off-season workouts,” explained Smith.
The offensive line’s performance will be key to the Bruin attack, which will feature senior-to-be Grant Shoemaker as the main triggerman.
Shoemaker, who spent the last two years backing up Bartlesville’s all-time passing leader Kirby Schoenthaler, will finally get his chance to direct the Bruin offense.
By all indications in spring preparation, he’s well-oiled and ready.“He threw the ball well all week,” noted Smith.
Shoemaker also has to break in a brand new receiving corps, another area that was depleted by graduation.
Returning junior-to-be Garrett Hilger, who started last year at cornerback, has moved up into one of the starting wideout spots.
“He really looks good,” Smith said. “We have a number of guys catching the ball, but Hilger stands out.”
One of the Bruins’ most-promising varsity newcomers is Slade Nordic, who made his mark last winter as a freshman on the Bruin varsity wrestling team.
“He’s really looked good at free safety, running back and wideout,” said Smith. “Slade has tremendous foot speed and might be the fastest guy on the team.”
In fact, Nordic was the second-quickest runner on the spring track team, just behind Schoenthaler.
Being that Schoenthaler last year was the fastest Bruin football player, Nordic may own that distinction going into the 2011 campaign.
“His dad, being a professional trainer, he’s maxed out strength-wise,” Smith said about Nordic. “He’s just tremendously strong for his body weight. He’s in great physical condition. Wrestling is part of what helps him to be a great tackler.”
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: TupaTalk column
