By Tim Switzer,
Regina Leader-Post
Regina Thunder head coach Erwin Klempner doesn’t believe he will have to worry about many holes in his roster when the Prairie Football Conference’s regular season begins in August.
The Thunder’s depth chart could still be full of new names, but Klempner expects the unknowns will be able to get the job done.
“We had really good competition,” Klempner said following the Thunder’s spring camp Sunday at the University of Regina. “We expected at each position there would be people coming in and challenging. What we really found out is there are a lot of great, young athletes out there.
“There are a lot of guys coming in from high schools that, if they continue they way they are, will be pushing for some of the spots.”
Regina will be without several of last season’s key contributors this year. Gone are starting receivers Lee Forsberg, Lee Wolfater and Tristan Manz, linebackers Scott Magee and Todd Kristoff, offensive linemen Travis Kuntz, Jeremy Boiteau and Phil Ingleby and cornerback Jon Krahenbil.
The Thunder could also lose all-star tailback Stu Foord and defensive halfback Jimi Cabylis, both of whom attended the University of Saskatchewan Huskies spring camp in Saskatoon over the weekend.
On Sunday, Klempner was singing the praises of several players who could fill all of those voids, including: linebackers Donovan Shire and Taylor Orban, offensive-linemen Dan Clark and Steven Hanson, tailback Mark Coons and safety Bryce McCall, last season’s PFC rookie-of-the-year who Klempner called the Thunder’s “poster-boy” for players who wish to go the junior football route.
“Our returning guys have really stepped it up — they’ve had great offseasons” Klempner said . “We had 14 young guys — first-year guys — travel with us (in 2006). They have the experience and we were competitive with them.”
The Thunder should also have the services of receivers Matt Pfeifer and Rory Kohlert, who are coming to the Thunder from other programs.
“What we’re going to be is deep and we’ll be able to play with some confidence and not worry about if this guy goes down or that guy goes down,” said Klempner. “We look stronger now than we did last year.
“In every position, there’s one or two guys.”
Klempner and his coaching staff plans to bring back 67 players for training camp, which begins July 27, before cutting the roster down to 59 players.
RUMBLINGS: Riffel Royals running back Taylor Kidby (hamstring) sat out Sunday’s scrimmage. With other camps and provincial-team tryouts on the horizon, Kidby and Thunder coaches didn’t want to risk further injury … Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman Jeff Yorga was a guest coach for the Thunder’s camp. Yorga played for the Thunder for five seasons before joining the University of Regina Rams in 2004. He is the first Thunder player to reach the CFL … Sunday’s scrimmage was moved to the artificial turf of the U of R because of the rain. Thunder coaches and board members didn’t want to risk damaging the natural grass at Scotty Livingstone Field.
