Pioneers Training Camp Presses On
Michael Balakier
Wednesday March 26, 2003
“We want to be a tough, hard-hitting team, and you got to practice like you play,” Cokinos said.
Hitting on the first day of practice took returning Pioneer Opio Gary by surprise.
“I’ve never hit the first day in any organized football that I’ve played,” Gary said.
However, Gary, who played in 13 games with the Pioneers last year, said that he felt like a rookie again as he entered training camp. “Coach told us that everybody has to earn a spot, so in that case, you don’t know where you stand.”
FB/LB Kevin Nagle, who also played for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, agreed with Gary that no one is assured a spot on this year’s roster. “Everybody’s got to prove themselves again,” said Nagle. “It doesn’t matter if you were here last year; you’ve got to earn yourself a job.”
Since the first day of camp, the competition between the players for a roster spot hasn’t diminished, however, coach Cokinos believes that the camaraderie among the players is starting to grow. “We’ve got so many new players, different players, and it always takes time to teach them how to play together,” said Cokinos. “I think everyday it’s starting to get better.”
The Lonesome Kicker
While the Pioneers are running through their drills during camp, kicker Stefan Schroffner waits patiently on the sideline for his turn to practice, which explains why the kicker has the loneliest job in football.
“I think that kind of goes without saying for all [football] leagues,” said Schroffner.
Currently, Schroffner, who played college football at Notre Dame, is the only kicker in Pioneers’ training camp. Schroffner, who hasn’t kicked since graduating from Notre Dame, says that he’s been working out everyday since July to get his leg strength back.
“It’s getting stronger everyday,” said Schroffner, referring to his leg strength. He added that he’s always been known for his accuracy. “I want to make sure that’s down pat and the kickoffs will come.”
Schroffner also said that while practicing his kickoffs, he broke one of the lights hanging on the side of the sports dome. The question that remains, however, is if he was aiming for it, which could support Schroffner’s claims of accuracy. Schroffner also said that he’s been bulking up so he could handle tackles on kickoff and field goal returns.
“I understand that kickers are a lot more active in this league,” Schroffner joked.
Michael Balakier first discovered a knack for writing during his senior year in high school while reporting for his school`s newspaper. Aside from being an Arenaball fan, Michael is an avid Syracuse University athletics follower, which poses a problem for him, as he attends the University of Pittsburgh. Michael plans on using what he has learned through his Arenafan experience to remain as impartial as he can during future Syracuse/Pitt events. Michael also serves as co-Editor of the af2 section of Arenafan Online.
