Coach Chad Long addresses his team prior to Ross’ scrimmage against Northview.
FREMONT – The Little Giants are ready.
Often football coaches wish they had more time to prepare. More time to work out the kinks. More time to get their players mentally ready for the season ahead.
Not Ross head coach Chad Long. Not this year.
With the week of kickoff finally upon his team, Long needed only to see a few minutes of Monday’s practice to know his squad was ready to go. Long called Monday “the best practice I’ve ever experienced here,” since joining the program five years ago.
“They were crisp. The offense looked outstanding, running the new blocking schemes and things we’re going to be doing,” he said. “Defensively, we were very sound, we knew exactly what was going to happen. You can tell the kids have been investing their time in watching film once we got it out on Saturday.”
Ross opens its season Friday at 7 p.m. at Don Paul Stadium hosting Holland Springfield. The Little Giants are looking to win their opener for the first time since they defeated Sandusky 64-30 in Week 1 of 2013.
In Ross’ way is a Springfield squad that went 10-0 last season before losing in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Devils defeated Ross 51-32 last year.
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Springfield returns junior quarterback AJ Gucciardo, who completed 66 percent of his passes (154-of-233) last season for 2,506 yards and 29 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
Gucciardo’s impact will be even more profound this season as the Blue Devils look to replace running back Bryant Koback, now a freshman at the University of Kentucky.
“Corners and safeties, our linebackers too, everyone has to drop back in coverage and read the play correctly,” senior tight end/linebacker Drew Edmonds said. “And I think we can do that, our defense is well prepared or that.”
Gucciardo’s top targets are senior wideouts Adam Beale (5-8, 150 pounds) and Lakeith Jackson (5-10, 165).
While the Blue Devils pass-catchers may not have a ton of size, Springfield has beef up front. Junior left tackle David Grow is 6-1, 270 pounds and right tackle Tyler Long stands 6-4, 294 and has committed to play at the University of Toledo.
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Despite Springfield’s up-front size, Ross believes the speed of its defensive line will be able to put pressure on Gucciardo. No one has more faith in the defense than the quarterback who has to face it every day practice.
“I think our defense can frustrate their quarterback and make him not perform like he can and slow him down and keep points off the board,” junior quarterback Hayden Lehmann said. “Once they make one big play, they’ll keep making big plays.”
Ross knows Springfield will try to use the Little Giants’ speed and aggressiveness against them, hoping to catch Ross with screen passes and sweeps. Ross will have to toe the line between being aggressive and playing with sound discipline.
“I’ve been getting many texts. The kids are focused and dialed in, as of Monday, and that’s pretty rare to see that,” Long said.
“They want to prove to everyone they’re for real this year. They want to prove to the state and Division II, they have to look out for Fremont.”
Who: Ross vs. Holland Springfield
What: Football season-opener
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Don Paul Stadium
At Stake: Starting the season off on the right foot for the first time since 2013