The St. Paul Bantam Bengals have officially finished spring training season after a successful home jamboree this past weekend where the team took on Spruce Grove, Leduc and Drumheller.
According to head coach Seth Henderson, the jamboree proved to be a much-needed boost for the team’s defense as well as an indication of where it needs to improve on the offensive side of the ball.
“Our defense was a lot better than the last couple jamborees,” Henderson said. “We worked really hard on our defense the week prior and it turned out to be our best system, overall. We played a variety of different kids in there and they did well.
“Offense always takes a lot longer to work out and finish than anything else,” he continued. “We’re definitely a strong running team, but where we falter is connecting with passing and that takes time working with the wide receivers and getting the timing down.”
Henderson said that despite the passing game not being where it needs to be, the Bengals possess a triple threat in the backfield with a quarterback who can scramble, a strong tailback and a good fullback.
“If we have three good running threats, it will suck the defenses in to stop the run and maybe we can go over the top a few times during the regular season,” he added.
With spring training over, the coach said he’s given fitness regiments to the players to stay in shape until the team reconvenes in August for the start of fall training camp. The Bengals’ regular season begins on Sept. 8 at home and Henderson hopes a good crowd will be present to help the team start out in the win column.
“We definitely would like to have our fans fills the stands for every one of our home games this year,” he said.
