Eagles kick off spring football with high energy and high expectations

 

Last updated 4/14/2023 at 6:34pm

CHENEY - The Eastern Washington Eagles opened their 2023 spring football season at drizzly Roos Field on Friday, opening a month-long schedule that will culminate with the annual intrasquad Red-White game on Friday, April 28. Including the Red-White Game, the Eagles will hold 14 practices over 21 days.

Despite the wet weather, excitement was high and energy palpable for an Eagles group looking to rebound from an uncharacteristic 3-8 season in 2022.

"Those guys have taken it upon themselves to do a lot of extra things," said head coach Aaron Best, who is headed into his seventh season in charge. "The players are the ones that make it happen. They started from January, collectively they've done it six, seven times a week outside of the required activity. (They've) taken great strides to build a foundation."

Best praised the work players have put in during the offseason so far, including effort in the weight room to get bigger and stronger.

"Coach (Ryan) Groneman has done a great job, developing some competitive juices without a football in our hands. We focused on lifting, on the physical element of pushing weight."

The Eagles can potentially return a significant number of starters from last season - up to six on offense and eight on defense - but Best cautioned to note that every year is a new year.

"We're a year older but that doesn't mean we're a year better," Best noted. "That's why we practice, to see where we're making strides. Starting lineups aren't made in the spring."

Many eyes will certainly be on the quarterback position, where Kekoa Visperas will compete this spring with transfers Jared Taylor and Michael Wortham. Visperas played in four games last season, including his first career start in a 45-21 win over Northern Colorado to close the season, during which he went 17-for-212 for 235 yards and 2 TDs, adding 33 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

"I'm excited about the quarterback position," Best continued. "It'll be fun to see Kekoa take on more this year, to enhance his play. The two quarterbacks we brought in, to push Kekoa, to get reps and see how they develop with the running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. That position is going to be more fun to watch because two of those guys just got on campus a couple months ago."

The Eagles played in helmets only on Friday as they ease into full pads next week. They'll continue practice on Saturday morning, then again on Monday afternoon.

 

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