New head coach Greg Croshaw addresses the Thunderbirds after the annual Red vs White game.
James Mello
“Today is going to be a key to how we evaluate our team,” first-year Mesa head coach Greg Croshaw said before the MCC spring Red vs. White football game. “We’ve put in some hard work this spring and this will finish it. This is an audition for all of us.””As far as I’m concerned, no position on this team is set yet, including the quarterback position. I’m excited to see how these two kids throw today,” Croshaw said referring to the competition for the starting quarterback spot between Justin Sieczkowski and Eric Archuleta. “This will be the first indication and test of these kids.”
Two touchdowns were scored in the scrimmage.
Both on long scoring plays by the first team White offense, The first came on a sweep play to incoming freshman running back Mike Allen. Allen broke three tackles by the second team Red defense on the play and took it to the house on a run that tallied 81 yards.
The second score for the first team White offense came when Sieczkowski threw a bomb to returning starter, wide receiver Cody Saul.
Saul and Sieczkowski looked comfortable working with each other in the game. Sieczkowski threw seven passes in Saul’s direction; Saul was able to catch four of them.
“Cody’s been working real hard in the weight room and it’s paying off for him and the team,” Sieczkowski said. “Coming into my first semester at Mesa, I feel the team has made huge strides through spring ball and we showed that out here today.”
“We’ve come together over spring ball and we have some pieces in place that we didn’t have here last year,” returning starter, sophomore cornerback Tyrell Pearson said.
progected starter Linebacker Ed Antanoa
“Proctor’s Posse,” read the shirts of over 50 of 31-year-old linebacker Lincoln Proctor’s family, friends and fans who filled the stands.
“I had my company, and the economy affected the company negatively so I figured I would go back to school for my mechanical engineering degree,” Proctor said
“It feels real good to be back and it’s nice for (my) two kids to see me play today.” Said Proctor
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount attended the game. His cousin Marquis Lett plays on the team.
“I think this team will be good, they have some good athletes on the field and a new coaching staff,” Blount said. “Cody (Saul) looks real good. He is probably the best athlete on the team and I see him going somewhere for the next level of college.
