DENVER — Hit Cocalico’s football practice bright and early Monday morning.
It was Stop 1 in Week 2 of the camp tour, and the Eagles were coming off a good performance against Conrad Weiser in their first scrimmage on Saturday.
Some observations …
WHAT I SAW: Drills and a full-speed scrimmage.
If you want plenty of lively action, check out Eagles’ assistant coach Mark Stauffer and the way he puts his linemen through the paces at a Cocalico practice.
Great stuff.
Up and down and left and right and here and over there and then back again. Then a quick water break, rinse, wash, repeat.
Didn’t see any tackle-sled action on this day, but did see a funny looking contraption that Stauffer uses to toughen up his trench kids.
You get in a three-point stance, wait for the hike call, then power your way through this device, which has these arm-like things coming at you from every which way. Your goal is stiff-arm through those and to get to the player at the other end and lay him out.
It’s quite entertaining.
Here’s a look:
So while the big dudes were doing big-dude stuff, the skill kids were on the other side of the practice field under the watchful eye of coach Dave Gingrich, working on X and O items.
Cocalico, if you haven’t been paying attention the last couple of decades, is a “Veer” team; power football in the trenches, opening holes for speedy tailbacks and a QB who isn’t afraid to tuck it and run.
Run, run, run and then run some more.
On this day, the Eagles were perfecting their passing game. That meant QB Jhett Janis working on three-step and five-step drops and throwing the ball downfield.
For a kid who has lined up all over the place the last couple of years, Janis has a really good understanding of the offense, he makes good reads and he throws a tight spiral.
And this quick note: A name to remember for the future — Dante Haines. The rising sophomore QB has a very bright future. Make a mental note.
Always enjoy watching Cocalico do passing drills. It’s kind of a running joke amongst media types around here; former coach Phil Kauffman liked to tell us every year that he was going to open it up and throw the ball more.
Never, ever happened. And it likely won’t with this group either, especially with gifted RB Spencer Moser back for his fourth season. He’s a special athlete.
It’s Cocalico. It’s the “Veer”. Boom, done.
OK, so after those drills the Eagles went 11-on-11 for the rest of the morning session.
Not much intensity early on — which Gingrich reminded his team — but it picked up once the pads started popping a little bit.
When the “Veer” is working, it’s a joy to watch. Offensive linemen pulling and working as one. That makes Stauffer very happy. Some misdirection in the backfield. A fullback looking for someone to level. The QB making a read and then pitching it softly to his trailing tailback. Great stuff.
Saw a bunch of that Monday with Janis making some nice pitch-outs — and taking off and running himself. He’s a royal pain in the open field. A vet punt and kick returner, you better tackle Janis when you get the chance, or he’ll juke you all the way to the end zone.
Fair warning: When Cocalico’s offense is clicking, the Eagles are going to score. A lot.
COCALICO COUNTDOWN TO CAMP PREVIEW
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Might have been because it was a shade before 9 a.m. on a Monday, but there wasn’t much intensity early on. Gingrich is a master at getting his team’s attention. Sometimes it’s a funny comment. Sometimes he has to be a little gruff. And wouldn’t you know it, after speaking up and doing a little barking, everyone’s game perked up and things started running more smoothly.
Cocalico runs a pretty tight practice; Stauffer is superb with the linemen, constantly chirping and constantly teaching. If you can’t learn anything from that guy, you’re not paying attention.
Guessing that a “Veer” playbook is a tad thick, especially the blocking schemes. Cocalico’s coaches expect you to know it — front and back. Line up wrong and make practice longer, and you’ll hear about it.
And hey, that’s cool. It’s football. And it’s very evident that Cocalico’s kids enjoy football, and enjoy being on the practice field, playing and learning.
These guys aren’t 42-18 over the last five seasons by accident.
TAKEAWAY: Cocalico is the reigning Section 2 champ, and the Eagles have more than enough weapons to win it again. Manheim Central might have something to say about that. The Barons invade Denver on Oct. 4 for one of the most anticipated L-L games this season. Winner there gets a huge leg-up in the race. Cocalico shredded Central last year, pinning 48 points on the Barons — in Manheim. That didn’t go over very well in Barons’ camp, as you can imagine.
Mentioned this before but will say it again: Thinking the Eagles will play with some big chips on their shoulders because this is their final go-round in Section 2 before shuffling down to Section 3 — for the first time since 2003 — next year. They’re not at all pleased about that. You might see some of that anger ooze out on Friday nights.
I like Cocalico. They’ll be right there for the Section 2 crown. And they should be right there in the District 3 Class AAA mix as well. Book it.
Caught up with Gingrich during Monday’s drills and heaved some rapid-fire questions at him. Take a look.