Springbrook Looking Forward to the Season
The Springbrook Blue Devils are looking to build off the productive season that they had last year, the team has its overall core nucleus of core players returning for another quality season.
Photo By: Gene Huskey / GamedayMD.com
Pictured is senior running back and safety Felix Abiobun for the Springbrook Blue Devils.
Photo By: Gene Huskey / GamedayMD.com
Juniors Devon Pestano and Devyn Walton give it their all during sprints at conditioning practice. Devon is a corner back and running back for the Blue Devils while Devyn is a wide receiver and corner back.
Photo By: Gene Huskey / GamedayMD.com
SILVER SPRING, MD - It was Knute Rockne who once said, "Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." Whenever you are preparing for the upcoming football season requires that you determine what your weaknesses are then work on those areas to improve the overall level of play during the regular season.
This is what the Springbrook Blue Devils have been doing as they prepare for a very challenging schedule, with some of the tough teams in their conference.
Looking to build off of the productive season that they had last year, the team has its overall core nucleus of core players returning for another productive season.
Where their solid players at wide receiver, defensive back and running back are all returning to anchor what could potentially be a very explosive offense, with the ability to break many close games wide open.
5 Camp Observations:
Key Players who will be returning and new possible standouts
While the team did have their fair share of challenges last season many of the key players who are returning have improved significantly and are ready to take the team to next level.
This can be seen when you look at the positions of defensive back and wide receiver where Mitchell Pollard and Chris Tolbert are returning to once again dominate these positions.
The recent transfer of Eric Freniere of Paint Branch could help solidify the quarterback position that has seen all state quarterback Phoenix Butler-Poole graduate. Two upfront players who could potentially have the greatest impact this season would include: Chris Beauvil, Errol Brewster and Ray Vernet.
Blue Devils strong offensively
While the Blue Devils many not have the large size that many of the more dominant teams have they make up for this weakness with their speed, balance and the solid running game that they have in place.
Offensively the team teams overall strategy this year is to use a combination of different offenses that focus on using their running game to wear their opponents down then break things wide open with their explosive wide receiver core of Pollard and Tolbert.
Defense should be stingy this season
Defensively, Springbrook uses mainly a three four package where this is adjusted to the different teams that they will be playing on a weekly basis. In some cases they have been known to use a combination of the three four packages with the nickel and dime defenses, depending upon the opponents that they will be playing week in and week out.
It is this flexible approach that has made the Blue Devils a sold team defensively with head coach Rob Wendel commenting, "Last year the defense was very good at stopping our opponents in key goal line and third down situations. John Hayward the defensive coordinator use a flexible approach and different defensive fronts to keep the opposition guessing."
Possible weaknesses
Like every team the Blue Devils have their fair share of weakness that they will address when they go into camp. The different areas that will be addressed includes: special teams, where the team is weak as far as their punting and kicking games are concerned.
Then there is the quarterback competition that will take place where Eric Freniere will be vying for the staring job.
What to expect this season
While anything can happen during the course of an entire football season, the fact of the matter is that the Blue Devils are returning with many different talented players who have the potential to be able to improve the teams overall level of play.
These would include the return of key players such as: Mitchell Pollard, Chris Tolbert, Chris Beauvil, Errol Brewster and Ray Vernet. Even though quarterback Phoenix Butler-Poole graduated, the transfer of Eric Freniere could fill this gap. If he can become the kind of team leader that Poole was, then the Blue Devils could be a very tough team to beat.
That being said there is a still weakness that must be addressed on special teams, if Springbrook can be able to turn these into strengths then the team could become one of the top teams in the conference.
