By John Cusick
“Unfinished Business.” The CMU Mavericks football team left last year with dejection and disappointment.
After finishing second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) behind the Colorado State Pueblo Wolfpack (CSU-P), they were left out of the Division II playoff scene.
“I think our guys used that as part of their motivation,” head Coach Russ Martin said, when asked about the omission of the playoffs last year. “When we tested in the spring, we had over 40 of our strength and condition records broke. We want to finish what we have started.”
With the conclusion of their second fall scrimmage, the Mavericks escaped with good fortune and had no injuries this
I’ve been very pleased with fall camp. Each side of the ball has a few ups and downs at times,” Martin said.
The scrimmages are based around making sure that the team is executing their assignments and make the right decisions in certain situations. Martin was not concerned with huge plays being made, although he does believe that they have many playmakers on both sides of the ball.
“We want to continue to build on what we did last year,” Martin said. “Some people are still talking about a breakout season. I think we had that breakout season last year. To me I think what we’re really looking at is a follow through year. We don’t want to be one of those flash in the pan teams.”
The Mavericks returned 21 athletes, that at some point, started last year allowing for an experienced team to return and continue the growth of the program. Among those returners includes quarterback Sean Rubalcalba, who injured his knee against CSU-P.
“Offensively I think we are going to be even more explosive than ever. I think part of that is with Sean Rubalcalba back,” Martin said. Martin also said that surgery was not needed and he has come back 100 percent healthy and ready to go in the opener. The team returned Jon Beverley and David Tann along with dynamic receivers in Virnel Moon who led the team in receptions last year and Marcus Hines.
Among those returning on the defensive side this year are Blake Nelson (DL), Tom Saager (LB), Jackson Burrell (DB), and Dustin Rivas (DB), all whom made the Preseason All-RMAC Defensive Team.
“They are outstanding leaders, they are very intense players. They are guys that can help our defense stay focused and continue to strive to get better,” Martin said of the four core players coming back. “We’ve had some great defenses and we want to continue to be a great defense every year, but it takes 11 guys.”
Looking to improve upon the 9-2 record of last year, the team heads to Gunnison on the weekend of Sept. 3 to take on the Western State Mountaineers. In the first five weeks of the season, the team takes on the other top four picks in the conference.
