Hudson's Bay Football Training Camp

Game is Friday; competition started a long time ago: 
New coach Will Ephraim wanted the competition between his players to start the day he got the job. And he wanted it to carry over into practice.

“I’ve been seeing it all camp,” Ephraim said with a smile. 

“If we’re going by attitude, we’re going to have a great season,” Ephraim said. “Our attitude has really changed from last year. A night-and-day comparison. The kids are competing against each other. The better guys want to go against the better guys. It really helps them all get better.”

Travis Roberts, Bay’s senior quarterback, said it is a big change from 2009.

“Last year, our positions were basically handed to us. This year, you have to work your hardest and you have to get it done,” Roberts said.

“He’s giving no favoritism to anyone,” added senior fullback Cody Torgrimson. “What it comes down to is I want to look good, so I’m going to give it my best.”

Ephraim is bringing a buzz to Bay. Roberts said the team has a lot more numbers out this season than last year, “when it was easier.”

Triple-option attack:
The Eagles are going to a triple-option offense because, Ephraim explained, they do not have the traditional large offensive line. The Eagles have quick, strong athletes on the line.

“We need to create double-teams,” he said, and that’s what the triple-option will do.

But the coaches and players say that fans should not get too caught up in the name of the offense. Some might hear triple-option and think it’s just run, run, run. Ephraim said he wants to be 50-50 with his run-pass strategy.

“For as many running formations we have, that’s how many pass plays we have,” Roberts said.

“It’s money, every time we pass it,” Torgrimson added. “We’ll fake a dive to the fullback and there will be (a receiver) standing all by himself.”

They have been warned: 
Every other day in camp, the coach asked a player to read aloud the warning sticker on the back of the football helmet. The reader was not allowed to start until all of his teammates had their helmets off, and they were reading along with him. The label warns players about the dangers of using the helmet inappropriately.