EWU opens camp with big shoes to fill
Though the process began in the spring, the task of replacing some of the best football players in Eastern Washington history picks up urgency this week.
The Eagles hit the practice field this week to prepare for possibly the most daunting schedule in school history.
EWU opens at Oregon State on Aug. 31 and then goes to West Virginia on Oct. 9.
Between now and then, head coach Paul Wulff and his staff have to determine who will fill spots vacated by one of the most decorated classes the school has ever produced.
Gone are record-breaking, Payton Award-winning quarterback Erik Meyer, the two time Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP, and his favorite target Eric Kimble, a two-time All-American. Three other receivers, Raul Vijil, Craig McIntyre and Richmond Sanders, that helped Meyer set numerous school records have graduated, along with linebacker Joey Cwik, the Big Sky Defensive MVP, and a pair of cornerbacks who were basically four-year starters, Isaiah Trufant and Jesse Hendix.
“You have to find players that understand what it takes to win ballgames, and maybe we have to find different ways to get that done,” Wulff said. “That’s college football, players change every year and your playmakers aren’t always the same year-in and year-out. I wish I could sign guys to 10-year contracts like the NFL, but that’s not like it is in college.”
It’s not as if the cupboard is bare. Eastern returns 14 starters and 41 letter winners overall. This group helped the Eagles capture a share of the league title for the second straight year and make a second consecutive appearance in the I-AA playoffs for the first time in school history.
“In the game of football there are 11 players on the field and we feel like we have a program that can be extremely successful with whatever 11 players we put out there,” said Wulff, who has not had a losing season in his six seasons as the head coach. “That’s not going to change.”
Eastern’s strength should be along both lines, which are deeper and more experienced as a group than in recent years, running back, tight end and safety.
The coaches get their first look at new players today. First-year players and veterans practice separately on Wednesday. The first full squad workout is at 9 a.m. on Thursday.
Redshirt junior Chris Peerboom and redshirt freshman Matt Nichols continue their competition to replace Meyer. They will likely split time early in the season.
“It’s still open because nobody has proven they can do it in a game,” Wulff said. “We are going into the season with the candidates we have, and as long as they stay healthy, they are going to get an opportunity to prove it in a game.”
It’s a similar situation at wide receiver, with junior Tyler Coleman the only player with significant experience – he had 22 catches last season. However, the pool of candidates is deep and talented, bolstered by senior Charles Searcy switching from cornerback to his natural position. Freshmen Aaron Boyce, Brynsen Brown and Tony Davis and junior college transfer Shane Eller are in the mix.
Sophomore Shea Emry is expected to replace Cwik.
DeNique Ford, who started some games last fall when Trufant was injured, and Ira Jarmon open as the leading candidates at cornerback, pushed by Las Vegas transfer E.J. Whitley.
Two scrimmages are planned: Aug. 17 at 2:30 p.m.; and Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.
Eagles unranked
Eastern just missed a ranking in The Sports Network I-AA preseason Top 25 poll. The Eagles are first in others receiving votes, which translates to 26th.
Among Big Sky teams: Montana is No. 3; Montana State is 22nd; Idaho State 28th; Portland State 35th; and Weber State 39th.