The WNMU football team wrapped up spring practices this past week. The coaches, along with the team, were pleased with how their 15 practices went and felt they laid the groundwork to make the 2010 season a success.

Defensive coordinator Adam Clark thought his first spring at WNMU was a good one. “The guys gave a really good effort throughout the spring,” he says. “I asked the defense to learn a lot very quickly, and they did a solid job of picking up the new concepts. We had good competition with both the offense and defense making plays during the spring, and we also got in some quality special team work. It was a very productive month for us, but we still have a lot of hard work in front of us in order to reach our potential as a team.”

Looking at the defense, Clark saw positives all over the field and thinks the team has a good group of returning players who will make up the foundation of the 2010 Mustang defense.

“We have good talent and depth in the secondary so there will be plenty of competition for playing time going into next season,” continues Clark. “We should put a solid group on the field as long as they keep working hard and getting better.”

One of those defensive backs was a returning starter at the cornerback position, TJ Sumpter, who thought the spring went well. “I think spring ball was a growing experience for the team. It showed us that hard work and dedication plus a little fun will help us win games,” states Sumpter.

As for the linebackers and the defensive line, Clark saw good things from those groups and their coaches. “Coach Kelly and Coach Magnani did a great job coaching. We have some pretty good players in those groups. There are some who can be special players if they develop their understanding of the defense and improve their technique,” states Clark.

Returning starter at inside linebacker, Eric Zuniga (Rio Rico, AZ/Nogales HS), said the team gelled together. “We became a much better team offensively and defensively in a matter of a couple weeks. Spring ball had an awesome tempo that the team hadn't seen in years. We are very excited to come back and apply what we have learned this spring to the game field next season.”

On the offensive side of the ball, offensive coordinator Marques Reischl was also very positive regarding where the Mustangs are headed.

“This spring we really worked hard to add another dimension to our running game,” states Reischl. “We were successful in doing that because of our guys up front. We had an outstanding spring with our offensive line. The line was short in numbers but not in toughness. They took every rep of every scrimmage, every practice, and every day and did great. O-Line coach Brandon Guzman did a good job with our installation and keeping the o-line healthy and working hard.”

Red-shirt sophomore and returning starter on the offensive line James Lake (Mesa, AZ/Dobson High School) also thought things went well. "Considering the difficult loss of our head coach and low numbers this spring, I believe that it has been the best spring I have been apart of. Everyday we (the team) were excited to go to practice and get better. This is something I believe we have been lacking for a long time here at WNMU," says Lake.

Reischl also liked what he saw from the rest of the offense. “Our offensive skill groups had a productive outing. Our returning quarterbacks did a good job. Chris Voller (Albuquerque, NM/Valley High School) picked up things quickly in the new offense,” says Reischl.

Voller, who is a veteran with solid numbers in past seasons, liked what he experienced over the last month. “Overall I thought we had a good spring,” states Voller. “We put in some more variety with regards to our run game to make it stronger. Our passing game looked good as well and will be very dangerous. I also thought our defense improved by leaps and bounds and is heading in the right direction. ”

Helping aid that new running game was veteran running backs Kevin Breaker (Stockton, CA/Lincoln High School), James Brown (Tallahassee, FL/Amos P. Godby High School), and Edwin Morales (El Paso, TX/Austin High School) who all had a very productive non-traditional segment running the ball.

The outlook from the wide receiver position was very bright as usual. All of the starters from last season returned. Reischl feels that coupled with the defense the offense is on the right track.

“The wide receivers put in a hard working spring and will be just fine at the start of next season. With our revamped defense and a solid offense, we look forward to 2010 Mustang football,” concludes Reischl.

The Mustangs open up the 2010 season on September 2 versus Northern Arizona.