A growing football program is continuing to grow.
Presentation College will play its third season of football this upcoming fall. The Saints are currently participating in their spring football workouts. PC began spring football on April 3 and will continue until April 26.
"It has been going pretty well," Presentation College coach Andy Carr said. "We have good numbers. We have about 60 guys out there running around and doing what they are needed to do. Obviously a lot of guys have returned and have been with us for a couple of years now, which is nice - a lot more familiarity with the program."
The actual number of players participating in the spring workouts is 58. That number of players this spring is a noticeable increase from last year at this time, when the Saints had between 40 and 45 players, said Carr.
"It is huge," Carr said about the number of players. "Retention is big no matter what program you are at, from the biggest programs in the country to the smallest."
Carr added that the team feels fortunate to have the amount of players it has this spring. He also mentioned how the staff is well ahead on its recruiting efforts.
"It really is a nice feeling," Carr said, "we haven't had that opportunity to experience here until now."
The jump in the number of players allows the team more repetitions and more chances to evaluate players. It also creates more competition among the players as well. Some players have changed positions during spring practice and this allows them time to work on their new spot. Some players that suffered season-ending injuries during the fall are getting more comfortable on the field this spring, said Carr.
"In the fall, everything is focused on getting ready for that game at the end of the week," Carr said. "Right now, our focus is challenging each other to be as good as we can be, at the basis of what we are doing with our fundamental work."
PC is still a member of NCAA Division III and it is not allowed to have a spring game at the end of the season. Presentation is allowed 15 no-padded practices during the spring season.
"With it being non-padded, you are kind of limited on what your big guys can do," Carr said, "your O and D line."
Carr continued to say that the practices are big for the skill players such as the quarterbacks, receivers, defensive backs, running backs and linebackers.
"We are getting a really good chance to work on the passing game, and some timing and some finer points of that portion of the game," Carr said.