Tech Football preparing for Spring Game
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Michigan Tech football team has begun spring drills for 2012 in preparation for its annual Black-White Intrasquad game April 14 at Sherman Field.
Head coach Tom Kearly brings back a strong nucleus of players from last year’s team that went 7-4.
On offense, quarterback Tyler Scarlett (Clarkston, Mich.) is coming off a record-setting freshman season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by three running backs—Akeem Cason (Benton Harbor, Mich.), Cedrick Barber (Rochester, N.Y.) and Charlie Leffingwell (Midland, Mich.)—who all saw considerable time in 2011. The Huskies’ receiving corps should also be strong, although several are being held out of the spring season. The offensive line will be forced to replace three starters from a year ago.
“Tyler’s been playing very well, and we’ve got lot of competition at our skill positions right now,” said Kearly. “The spring season gives us an opportunity to work on a lot of different things and get better.”
Defensively, Tech lost a high number of seniors from last year’s team. The strength of the unit will be its front. Senior inside linebacker Justin Armstrong (Las Vegas, Nev.) is the team’s top returning tackler from a year ago. Fellow seniors Justin Blake (Bessemer, Mich.) and Jacob Clark (Lansing, Mich.) will anchor a skilled group of defensive linemen. Only two players—Emmett Bjorn (Calumet, Mich.) and Jeremy Mims (Novi, Mich.)—return to the secondary with significant experience.
“The front of our defense is solid,” said Kearly. “We’ve got a good group there. Where we need work is in the secondary, where we lost five starters and two backups. I think the spring season will show us who’s ready to step up and go.”
Michigan Tech will have seven more practices prior to the spring game on Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m.
Posted by Jerry Taylor