Eastern wraps up spring practice today

Any Eastern Washington football player who has a beef about not being a starter gets a chance to prove himself today.

The Eagles conclude spring practice with the Red-White Game at 2 p.m. at Woodward Field with projected starters for next fall, minus a handful of injured players, taking on the backups.

“We think in a lot of ways it will be highly competitive,” EWU head coach Paul Wulff said. “Are the 2s going to step up and are the 1s going to play to the level they need to play? It gives the backups an opportunity to prove that they have a chance to compete for a starting position. It puts pressure on both units.”

Injuries could contribute to some mismatches, which obviously benefit the starters.

The Eagles are short-handed at cornerback. That leaves recent walk-ons Steve Sullivan and Mark Catalinich to play opposite Lonnie Hosley. Adam Macomber joins returning starter Ira Jarmon with the No. 1 unit.

The offensive line has had a few injuries so at least two backups are moving to White team. That leaves the Red team with a couple of unproven players to hold off a starting defensive line that has had a solid spring.

The game, which concludes four weeks of practice, is going to have four 12-minute quarters with a running clock, expect for the final 2 minutes of the first half.

Interesting battles include linebacker, cornerback, wide receiver, running back and tight end.

Lack of depth makes cornerback and running back interesting. Senior Toke Kefu and sophomore Jesse Hoffman are the only healthy tailbacks and Alexis Alexander is the only fullback. Sophomore Makai Borden and junior Marcus Walker are the starting linebackers with senior Jared Kuhl close, but after that the Eagles are inexperienced.

Wulff said the injuries to offensive linemen Julian Stewart and Matt Alfred, plus Zach Wasielewski and Chris Carlsen being nicked up, have allowed sophomores Sean Rock and Chris Thomas to make a case for more time.

Although Jason Belford, Lance Witherspoon, Shawn Powell and Greg Peach have been solid across the defensive front, Jacob Kragt and Tyler Jolley are pushing them.

Wide receiver is a position of depth. Tony Davis, Aaron Boyce and Jesse Soloman are today’s starters, but there are four second-team players who have had their moments this spring, particularly Shane Eller and Nick Ramos.

Senior Tom McAndrews and sophomore Nate Overbay are having a good battle at tight end, and redshirt freshman Matt Martin has proven he is a capable third.

Sophomore Matt Nichols will quarterback the White team, which is favored. Wulff is hoping for a close game, especially with the solid spring of junior Alex Smart, who will guide the Red team with redshirt freshman Jason Harris.

“We’re going to find out,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve ever done it this way before. It’s something different and will be a great challenge for the 2s. We’ll see what guys can step up and play well regardless of what team they are on.”

The game is the centerpiece of the 26th Annual Orland Killen Weekend.

The Eagles soccer and volleyball teams have scrimmages at noon and 1 p.m., respectively. A social and auction starts at 4:30 with a lobster dinner at 6:30 followed by a dance.

The event raises funds for the Orland Killin Academic Scholarship Fund as well as athletic scholarships.