Future on display in annual Spring Game

Though the punt, pass and kick competition among the eating clubs was enjoyable pre-game entertainment, the first play of the game was arguably the most exciting moment of the afternoon. Junior quarterback Brian Anderson, who led Verbit’s white team, took the first snap, dropped back and completed a 70-yard pass to junior wide receiver Will Thanheiser. Thanheiser streaked down the sideline and showed off his acrobatics, performing a front-flip into the end zone as penalty flags flew from every direction.

The white team eventually triumphed over the black team, 14-7, in the two quarters of play, but the most important byproduct of the game was a preview of the players competing to fill the holes that graduating seniors will leave, especially on offense.

“[One thing] that is unique about this team is their chemistry: their unselfishness, their work ethic and basically the idea of ‘let’s try to find a way to get better whether it’s me playing or you playing,’ ” head coach Roger Hughes said.

Anderson, who is currently the number-one prospect for signal calling next season, is the only candidate who has taken any collegiate snaps. This past season, Anderson started in the 17-14 nail-biter against Dartmouth, completing 11 passes, including a crucial one in overtime that led the Tigers to victory. Anderson was also announced before the opening kickoff as one of the tri-captains for the 2008 squad, alongside junior wide receiver Adam Berry and junior nose tackle Matt Koch.

Offense

While Anderson remains the top quarterback coming out of spring training, he may end up having some competition. Sophomore Dan Kopolovich shined as quarterback for the black team. During the past two seasons, Kopolovich has started at defensive back, where he amassed 31 solo tackles and snagged three interceptions last season, but Saturday afternoon he returned to the position at which he excelled in high school.

Kopolovich, a first-team all-state high school quarterback in Pennsylvania, showed incredible speed in the Spring Game, often escaping the pocket to evade oncoming defenders and then outrunning the secondary. He overthrew a few passes in his eagerness, but though his presence will be missed on the other side of the ball, his mobility and threat as a rusher could be great assets for the Tiger offense.

Freshman quarterback Andrew Dixon also took a few snaps. Classmate Brett Kan should be healthy by next fall, making him a fourth challenger for the position.

Thanheiser caught two touchdown passes for the white team and will undoubtedly be looked to as a veteran leader next season. Berry was unable to play in the game because of a hip injury, giving a few young receivers a chance to show why they could be potential replacements for senior wide receiver Brendan Circle.

Sophomore wide out Marcus Stewart made several nice grabs. He has great size and makes good decisions under pressure. Freshman receiver Trey Peacock, who earned time at the end of last season as a replacement for injured players in the receiving corps, also converted on a series of passes toward the end of the game and seems to have the potential to break out as a solid contributor during his sophomore year.

Both sophomore running back Jordan Culbreath and sophomore running back Kenny Gunter seemed determined to prove they are prepared for next season. Early in the first quarter, Culbreath had an impressive 18-yard rush, carrying a defender on his back nearly the entire way. Culbreath, who gained 275 yards on the ground for the Tigers this past season, has an incredibly explosive first step and scored the black team’s only touchdown of the afternoon. Gunter suffered an injury in the middle of last season but was in top form Saturday afternoon, gaining substantial yardage for the white squad.

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Defense

On the defensive end, sophomore linebacker John Callahan, who amassed 60 tackles last season, played with his usual consistency. He will most likely fill the role of senior linebacker Tim Boardman, who led the Tigers with 84 tackles last season. Sophomore defensive back Cart Kelly, who played in all 10 games this past season, made several tackles, often with the help of sophomore defensive back Kevin Dobes, who also picked off one of Anderson’s lofty attempted passes early in the first quarter.

Sophomore safety Wilson Cates could not compete due to a nagging hamstring injury, but he will play a crucial role in the secondary next season, where the Tigers lose a defensive anchor in senior safety Kevin Kelleher. While the Princeton defense will lose key players in its secondary, the line will remain solid, with junior defensive linemen Pete Buchignani, Tom Methvin and Koch returning.

“I think one of the greatest signs that we are in great shape is the fact that we had very few injuries in the spring,” Hughes said. “In the spring, you have the enhanced exposure to injuries because you’re going against each other all the time. It’s a great example of how our strength and conditioning sessions have paid off.”