Roanhaus pleased with progress

While they may not be at game speed yet, the Clovis Wildcats have so far seemed up to speed with scrimmage week coming up.

CMI photo: Kevin WilsonClovis senior receiver Jacob Chavez, left, hauls in a pass with Shaprei Bryant a few yards deep on defense during Wildcat football practice Friday. The Wildcats scrimmage Las Cruces Thursday in Alamogordo.

The Wildcats finished practice Friday evening, then donned their game uniforms Saturday morning for the first time this season — albeit unofficially — for picture day.

The Wildcats have a 4 p.m. scrimmage on Thursday at Alamogordo against Las Cruces, then get set for their season opener on Aug. 31 at Santa Fe Capital in the first meeting between the two schools.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus said of the week. "We picked up the things we needed to. I was worried after the first week, but I'm confident.

CMI photo: Kevin WilsonClovis junior Kenny Robinson, right, brushes off junior Max Rodriguez during Wildcats football practice on Friday. The Wildcats scrimmage Las Cruces on Thursday in Alamogordo.

"Wednesday, particularly defensively, we started to recognize sets and things we needed to, to be a good team."

Linebacker/fullback Sage Free, who saw most of his time as a lineman last season, thought the team was clicking well for its second week.

"Things have been going good," said Free, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior. "I think we're going to have a good year."

A team that is young defensively, Roanhaus said, has learned well on the fly.

CMI photo: Kevin WilsonClovis assistant coach Cal Fullerton gives the offense a play during the Wildcats' football practice on Friday.

"We're starting three juniors in the secondary with two new linebackers," Roanhaus said, "and most of our signals (for defensive alignments and plays) come from the linebackers. I thought (Marcos) Trujillo and Free had a really good week."

The biggest issue, which isn't unique to a preseason, is that the Wildcats have only been blocking and tackling each other, so Roanhaus said they're not being nearly as physical with each other as they'll have to be against other teams.

"Obviously, we haven't blocked or tackled each other very hard," Roanhaus said. "We need to get (up) to game speed; we're not at game speed.

"Cruces is preseason ranked No. 1. It's going to be hot Thursday. I hope we like what we find out."

Coming off a 6-6 season, preceded by a 5-7 mark in 2011, the Cats want to get back to their winning ways — and deep in the playoffs, Free said.

"We want to finish the season above .500, and at least win two playoff games," Free said. "Then obviously, we want to try to win state; that's everybody's goal."