The Chadron State College football team accomplished much during the spring and apparently avoided any long-term, disabling injuries. But the coaches say what happens during the next three months will tell the tale of the 2007 season. "We had a great spring, but how had the players work this summer and what kind of condition they report in when we start practice in August will make all the difference in the world," said CSC Head Coach Bill O'Boyle. "We open the season earlier than usual this fall against a really tough team (Aug. 25 at Washburn). It's imperative that everybody does something to stay in shape or even improve their conditioning between now and then. Otherwise, a lot of good work will go down the drain." O'Boyle noted that the Eagles seem to be dedicated to having another banner season. He noted that about 40 of them hope to spend the summer in Chadron so they can continue to use the college's facilities to work out. "Some of them are still looking for jobs so they can stay around," said O'Boyle. "I hope people will hire them. They'll be getting a good worker and it will help our team, too." Defensive Coordinator Todd Auer agreed with O'Boyle about the importance of summer conditioning. He noted that several spots on the defense's travel roster are still up for grabs, and the players who report in August in the best condition are likely to earn them. O'Boyle said he believes the Eagles' defense was as solid as he's ever seen it at the end of the spring. Both the head coach and Auer said lack of depth in the secondary, particularly at cornerback, is about the only concern. It is also crucial that all-RMAC tackle Josh Knouse of Gering, who missed spring practice because of a torn pectoral muscle, returns at full strength this fall. "Overall we had a pretty productive spring," Auer said of his defense. "The returning starters got limited repetitions. Our goal was to find backups and those who are ready to play. We've got a pretty good idea now who those guys are. Some other younger players also showed they are going to be good, but may still be a year away. There'll be some good competition during fall camp." Auer said of all the players on defense, outside linebacker Aaron Bauer of Chadron and safety Kevin Berg of Longmont, Colo., may have had the best spring. "They really stuck out because they were consistent and productive," the coach noted. "Bauer is so smart. You can't fool him. He made a lot of big plays. Berg needs to get bigger and stronger, but he made as many plays as anyone." Bauer will be a junior and Berg, who is nicknamed "Razor" by his teammates because of his slender build, will be a redshirt freshman. The secondary took a hit just after spring practice ended when DeAngelo Wall, a two-year starter at cornerback, was dismissed from the team. Auer said that means Eric Roth of Gordon, who was something of a swingman between cornerback and outside linebacker last fall, may become a full-time cornerback opposite all-star candidate Beau Wendling, who had what Auer called "another great spring." Roth didn't have contact during the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery, but said he learned a lot by observing from the sidelines. "He's a team guy and can play anywhere," Auer said. Other candidates for playing time at the position include junior-to-be Chase Rasby, also a pole vaulter for the track team; senior-to-be Matt McCroden of Crawford; and sophomore-to-be Josh Wood, who showed promise at cornerback after moving from safety. The Eagles are still solid at safety with the likes of Paul Schweger, an all-conference choice last season; hard-hitting Trevor Hyatt; and Craig Kaiser, one of the fastest players on the team, leading the way. Austin Bailey and Zach Wheeler, both starters last fall as sophomores, head the linebacking corps along with Bauer. Auer said lettermen such Thomas Wells and Duke Eardley, transfer Cameron Rust and redshirt freshman Weston Hafner should provide good support this fall. Junior-to-be Chet Murray also will bid for playing time. Auer added that redshirts Kelen Kahrs and Cassidy Young at linebacker and Kramer Hirz at safety are among the young players who can become contributors if they continue to improve. Up front, the Eagles are well-stocked at defensive end where at least seven players will try to crack the rotation this fall. Returning starters Barton Cron and Jared Koester are on the list along with transfers Shaine Odell and Eric Ide, both of whom were impressive this spring. Senior-to-be Derek Watson had his first injury-free spring and also is a candidate for playing time while both Auer and O'Boyle said redshirt Cory Beran, who has gained about 20 pounds in the past year, is in the same mold as his brother, Casey, an All-American end for the Eagles in 1999. Soph-to-be Jay Meduna will also be in the mix this fall, Auer said. With Knouse out of action, Aaron Ide emerged as the leader at defensive tackle, Auer said. "He played lower and used his hands better," the coach stated. "He also didn't think so much. He was too robotic in the past." Auer added that junior-to-be Byron Korf, who started at tackle early last fall, and sophomore Ryan Holmquist also played well in the spring. The depth chart also includes senior Jovan Mays and Travis Nitsch, who missed last season because of a knee injury, but seems to be fully recovered. Nitsch began his career at end. "We should have a good defense if we can avoid injuries at key spots and play hard," said Auer. "We can't gloat just because we were good last fall. It's a whole new team and whole new season." Offensively, O'Boyle said an assortment of injuries to inside receivers and inexperience at quarterback continue to be concerns. The right side of the offensive line is also unsettled, but should be all right following three more weeks of practice this fall, he added. The receivers were a battered and bruised group, but should be ready to go by August. Logan Stropko, an all-conference pick last fall, missed spring drills while recovering from thumb surgery; Bryce Jarzynka, the other starter in 2006, broke a finger in the spring game; Joel Schommer, who had what O'Boyle called an outstanding spring, sustained a lacerated liver late in the workouts; Kent Russell, a dependable alternate last fall, missed all of the spring because of a tight hamstring; and Isaac Stockton tweaked his hamstring while warming up for the spring game. O'Boyle said Stockton made some of the best catches he's ever seen this spring, but needs to improve his blocking. Some of the slack at outside received was taken up by sophomore Chase Roeber, who caught four passes in the spring game. On the outside, the coach said that senior Landon Ehlers, junior Micah Smith and sophomore Brandon Harrington give the Eagles big-play potential. Soph Tyler Watson, who caught a 54-yard pass in the spring game, is also on the rise. Junior Mike McCulley also will bid for playing time. Another young prospect with excellent speed, Johnathon Miller, missed the spring because of a shoulder problem. Three starters return in the offensive line. They are all-star candidate John Strand at left tackle, Ben Puffer at left guard and Chance Galey at center. There are still question marks on the right side, but the available personnel appear capable of filling the bill, the coach said. Senior Aaron Forsberg and sophomore Grady Goldhammer are about equal in the bid to start at tackle while senior Mike Aimone has a slight edge over junior Richard Smock at guard, O'Boyle said. The coach believes the line depth will be solid this fall. O'Boyle said letterman Justin Ransdell and redshirt Tim Hiett are on their way to becoming excellent centers and that redshirts Shane Dennehy, Matt Crider and Jacob Finnerty also are promising. In fact, O'Boyle said Finnerty may challenge for the starting nod at right tackle this fall. Another prospect, Jake Rogers of Scottsbluff, needs to add strength, but appears to have a good future. The young linemen got lots of work this spring because the offense and defense "tied up," or scrimmaged, more than usual in an attempt to give the young quarterbacks, Garrett Treffer and Zac Zandstra, a crash course at the position, O'Boyle said both quarterbacks made lots of progress in understanding the CSC offense, decision-making and throwing the ball. But there's still a question whether they could lead the Eagles to another RMAC championship and the playoffs if starter Joe McLain is injured. "Neither of them is very physically developed," the coach noted. "Both need to spend some time in the weight room. We like their potential, but they're still really green. We're looking to see if there's somebody out there, meaning a transfer, that we can get to help at quarterback. It's something we feel we need to check out."No college team in America has a better running back than the Eagles' Danny Woodhead, the 2006 Harlon Hill Trophy winner. He scarcely carried the ball this spring because as O'Boyle has often stated, "We know what Danny can do."There's more depth at tailback this year with sophomores Mark Haag and Aaron Cooksley, last year's backups, returning along with redshirts John Ritzen, Nick Williams and Jake Bowman. Senior Blaire Schumacher, who has moved from cornerback, also showed that he can help carry the ball this fall. O'Boyle said Schumacher will also learn the fullback position to support veterans Butch Cassity and A.J. Burki. By going five-for-five on his field goal attempts and making both extra points in the spring game Travis Atter, solidified his status as an excellent young placekicker. McLain and Berg handled the punting. Micah Smith emerged as one of the nation's top punt returners last fall. O'Boyle knows the Eagles will be the target of a lot of teams this fall."Ever since the Montana State game, the bull's-eye has been bigger," the coach noted. "If we stay healthy like we did last year, we'll be fine. Keeping healthy so you still have some depth is what it takes to win the conference." - See more at: http://www.csc.edu/modules/news/public_news/view/1983#sthash.TS1etewB.dpuf