WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University’s football squad opened its spring practice on Monday as the Golden Rams begin preparations for the fall season.
A lot of high expectations surround the Golden Rams’ spring camp. However, the team accepts the challenges that come with those expectations while still keeping their focus on the task at hand every day in practice.
Below are a few thoughts from head coach Bill Zwaan as well as selected players on how they feel one week into the spring season.
Head Coach Bill Zwaan
“We were four or five plays away from having a really great year last year. I want this team to understand how close they were and how much more they have to do. They are not that far away. But, they can’t let the little things slip away – things like holding onto the football, not having the breakdowns that we had, and making sure that you are ready to practice to get better everyday.
“We are pretty good in the spots that we want to be good at. So, we just want to build on that.
“I think our leadership is pretty good on this team. I think the guys will practice hard. I don’t have any worries about that. I just want our guys to concentrate on the little things that win you those close football games down the stretch.
“I think this team recognizes that they are on the brink of something special. When the older kids on the team realize that and push themselves that much harder, the younger kids see that and work harder themselves. When you have the starters all the way down to the freshmen working hard, that’s what makes a great football team.
“Absolutely, I want to see where (QB Sean McCartney) is at. But, I want to see him take over as a leader. I’m looking forward to that, quite honestly. There is no question that the QB’s right behind him are pushing him. They want to play. I want Sean to have some competition because that will make him play better.
Jr. – QB, Sean McCartney
“I’ve never missed an entire football season in my life. (Last year) was a different experience for me. It gave me the chance to sit back and learn more. I’m going into my fifth year now, so I need to teach the younger guys the system.
“We want to get all the kinks out. We have a couple new linemen and a couple new wide receivers. We want to teach them the West Chester Way.
“Every year we come in with great expectations. We worked hard all winter long, and we are ready to go now.”
Sr., - RB, Rondell White
“I can’t wait to see Sean get back and run the quarterback position. He is one of the leaders on this team.
“I was elected a captain this off-season, and I want to be the type of leader that (John O’Donnell), Mike Mattei and Carl Barnes were.
“I want to have a better record than last year and make the playoffs. That has been my goal since I came here. We can do it. We just have to go out and prove that we can do it.
“At the end of the day, I want to do whatever it takes to win. It’s not about stats, not about touchdowns, not about any of that. It’s about winning games.
“I know Eddie Elliott and Brandon Monk have put a lot of time in the weight room. They help me, and I help them. It’s like a big-brother, little-brother relationship.”
“I can learn from (MLB Ronell Williams) playing the linebacker position. He makes me better when I go against him in practice.
Jr., NT Anthony McCloskey
“We know that we have a lot of guys coming back, and we feel we have something special brewing here. We worked our butt off all winter for this. We are excited to get back on the field. We are ready to go.
“(The defense) has a lot of talent coming back. (MLB Ronell Williams) is still there in the middle. So, we feel very comfortable with what we have.
“(Losing John O’Donnell) really hurts. But, we have guys who have been training right behind him. There is a lot of talent (in the secondary). Now, it is their time to step up and make plays.
Jr., MLB Ronell Williams
“We are working on executing the fundamentals and getting better as a team. We are learning our position and executing our one-eleventh on defense. I think our defensive line may be the biggest strength that we have. If we keep them healthy, and the younger kids contribute, they will be the best part of our defense.
“It is hard to replace someone like (John O’Donnell). But, we have people stepping up, people with a lot of speed and a lot of talent. They have some playmaking ability. Shawn Krautzel made the move to safety, and he can make plays and coach-up the younger kids.
“Of course, we always think about what we can accomplish this coming fall. But, we don’t talk too much about it because we had the potential to do something great last year and didn’t. We are at the point now where we no longer want to talk about it until we do it.
“We are at the proving stage. We know we have the talent. We know we have the coaches. We have all the pieces.
“(Facing Rondell White in practice everyday) makes us a better defense because the offensive line could collapse, and Delly will still manage to get five yards out of the play. I honestly believe we have the best running back in the PSAC. So, going up against that talent day-in and day-out does make us a better defense.”
