JAMESTOWN — For only the second time this spring, the University of Jamestown football team was able to go outside and practice. The Jimmies were practicing on the UJ Turf Field on Wednesday, April 12.
“We’ve only gotten one in so far before the snowstorm hit,” Jimmies head coach Brian Mistro said. “But, it was good, it was good to get the guys out here. We just got rolling right away, jumped into a team session and it’s good to have the boys back to doing what they love to do.”
The Jimmies return production on both sides of the ball in defensive lineman Paul Vandal and linebacker Jed Rantz who combined for 112 tackles and 15 sacks last year. Mistro said those two as well as defensive backs Rashawn Benners and Parker Chaffee are starting off spring well. One of the Jimmies' most experienced position groups is their offensive line as they could have five juniors starting next season. For the first time in five years, though who they will be protecting under center is still up in the air.
“Those guys know now that’s the one thing,” Mistro said. “There’s not as many bugs to work through so when those guys can all speak the same language it creates such a better atmosphere and a culture for those guys to trust each other.”
One of the players competing for the starting quarterback spot is current sophomore David Reinholz. Reinholz said he has been competing for the first-team reps with fellow sophomore Nicholas Martinez. Reinholz said in order to be named the starter he has to get his teammates to view him as a leader and make the throws on the field that he has to make. As a result of only being two outside practices in, Mistro said he is not ready to name a starter yet.
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One of the people that will be catching passes from the new quarterback is current junior Micah Madyun. Last season, Madyun had 602 receiving yards and two touchdowns and 33 rushing yards.
“It was kind of crazy because even when I came in Cade (Torgerson) was my practice quarterback too,” Madyun said. “So, almost every single ball I’ve ever caught here in a Jimmies uniform has been from Cade. So, just learning these quarterbacks' different timing, how hard they throw the ball, how much spin they throw it with, things like that. He (Torgerson) thought he had a rocket arm so he was comfortable with throwing anything and everything. So, figuring out how I can make it easier for this new quarterback that we got coming up and these new quarterbacks in general.”
Last season, current sophomore linebacker Paul Cisneros had seven total tackles. Heading into next season he is expected to be one of six upperclassmen in the linebacker's room. Cisneros said he wants to work on bettering himself on and off the field.
When he first started to see the snow melting, Madyun said he was chomping at the bit to get going.
“My favorite thing to do is play,” Madyun said. “So, as soon as the snow melted I was excited, really excited to get back into it and start getting ready to play real football.”
The Trust Project
