Sun sign two players: Busy week follows spring camp for Zaron & Casey

Spring camp wrapped up a week ago today, but for Sun GM Howie Zaron and head coach Jason Casey, the last week has been anything but down time. They, along with offensive coordinator Tony Lindsay spent much of the week talking to the players who most caught their eyes during the three days of camp.

The entire weekend was videotaped from a scissor lift from four different cameras giving the coaches a lot of film to study this past week to make sure they gave all players a solid look.

Casey said following the scrimmage that the Sun would have in the neighbourhood of 80 players at main camp on July 10, and with the odd exception all those players would come from players in town last weekend.

Two players that were not in attendance at camp, defensive end Derek Hurlock and safety Daylon

Pommier provide a definite answer and a question mark with regards to their status with the club. Hurlock will definitely be back, arriving in town May 31st after working at home in Ontario the past two months. Rutland grad Pommier is still a question mark as he debates attending university in Quebec or the Maritimes and playing for a university program there, or returning for his final season of junior football.

With the exception of the odd hiccup, Casey felt the weekend was a success.

“I think it went really well. With the number of players we had out there logistics were a little scary at times but for the most part things worked out. With the guest coaches we had, the volunteers taking care of all the set up and take down…everyone helping our coaches to make things roll, it was a good weekend.”

The unseasonably cold weather meant players weren’t dealing with the spring heat often felt in the Okanagan which can sometimes be a shock to prairie athletes this time of year. While the clouds threatened the entire weekend, the rain stayed away so practices, specifically the scrimmage were not thrown off from what the coaches were trying to accomplish.

While Okanagan bred high school players may have grown up watching the Sun and thus naturally aspired to play for the hometown team and were ready to commit immediately following the weekend if they fit into the Sun’s plans, it is in some cases a different story for players from outside the region. Many of the players the Sun brought to the spring session from Alberta and Saskatchewan that were invited to main camp have verbally committed to the club and will be signed beginning June 1.

“I think the players saw things and the machine we are working with, so it impressed them. I think that will help us show some of these guys this is where they want to be. ” said Casey

But with the number of players in camp some decisions were still being made late in the week on many players and where they fit into, or if they fit into Sun plans.

“There were a lot of talented players out there, some of them were pretty close in terms of what they bring so the decisions are not all going to be easy.” Said Zaron.

It was hard not to see the pride of ownership Zaron may have felt observing the weekend as his thumbprint was on every new recruit on the field.

Zaron on whether he sensed a change on the field;

“Yeah, I think there is a different aura or atmosphere or feeling. All of that, I think it’s different for sure. I know listening to a lot of the vets talking they were impressed with the number of players and some of the new guys that are here. They want to win (a championship). They saw what’s going on and that we are serious.”

Still Zaron is aware that the battle for jobs on the club may have some players feeling the pressure.

“Our goal isn’t to give kids a place to play. Our goal is to give players a place where they can have a serious shot at a national championship. We aren’t trying to make them comfortable; we are trying to make this team better.”

In addition to shaping the Sun into what he hopes will be a championship team, Zaron is enjoying working with head coach Jason Casey and is quick to point out that both he and Casey have the same philosophy when it comes to building a junior football team.

“I have a lot of fun with Jason. He’s not only a good coach, but he’s a lot of fun off the field too. Whether it’s just hanging out talking football or having a beer; whatever it is, yeah we definitely have the same mindset on what we have to build a winning team.”

Signings announced

The Sun has announced two more player signings. Athletes who did not play high school football in 2010 are exempt from the June 1 roster date.

Jordan Witzaney (top picture)

Defensive back / 6’1, 190 pounds / 21 years old

Graduate of Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon

Beau Barthel

Defensive back / 6’, 175 pounds / 22 years old

Graduate of LCI High School in Lethbridge

Played the last two seasons with the Victoria Rebels

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