Packer football team is heavy on seniors
Published 9:53 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Kayden Igou closes in on a tackle in practice for the Austin football team in Art Hass Stadium Wednesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Experience is vital on the gridiron, and the Austin Packer football team has more experience than it’s had in a while on this year’s team.
The squad has a big senior class that includes around 25 seniors and all of those players have played their entire high school football career under head coach Brett Vesel. The big senior class is especially important this season, when the Packers have just two weeks to prepare for their first game.
Seth Clasen closes in on Jesse Synoground in practice for the Austin Football team in Art Hass Stadium Wednesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Vesel said this year’s team started the furthest along of any of his other teams in Austin.
“It’s extremely important [to have so many seniors] with such a short time before the first game,” Vesel said. “We’re lining up correctly 99 percent of the time and we’re playing fast on both sides of the ball, which we need to do.”
For players like Nate Conner, who has played varsity football since he was a freshman, this year brings an extra sense of urgency. Conner has played running back and quarterback for the Packers, and this season he’ll be playing wide receiver, running back and defensive back.
“You get an extra drive knowing it’s your last year,” Conner said. “That’s a big factor.”
The current Austin senior class went 7-1 overall when they played together on the freshmen team and they’re hoping they can bring that success to the varsity level this season.
Damien Ryks, who plays on the offensive and defensive line, said the Packers are feeling confident so far.
“Team chemistry kind of brings us all together and we all bring leadership,” he said. “I feel good about this year because we’ve got a lot of guys coming back. Most of us started last year.”
The Packers now have artificial turf on their field for the first time and senior lineman Jayden Cantu said that has brought a spark of energy to the squad. He said the team has made big strides with Vesel over the last four years, especially in the weight room.
Elijah Andersen leaps over Nate Conner to haul in a pass in Austin football practice in Art Hass Stadium Wednesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“There’s a lot more people motivated in the weight room,” Cantu said. “Before [Vesel], hardly any people were down there. He’s really motivated people to get down there and become better athletes.”
Austin will play at Rochester John Marshall 7 p.m. Aug. 22 and it will host Winona 7 p.m. Aug. 28.